Occasionally, I find articles that I want to share with you. They have taken an idea and written it in such a way that I could not possibly make better. The following article was written by Police Officer and Chaplain M. C. Williams. This appeared in part in the December 18, 2018 issue of “The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry” newsletter. This is a good read for this time of year.
“Mighty God”
The One whom we honor and celebrate at Christmas is indeed “Mighty God”
and the ultimate “Cop”
Isaiah 9:6-7 “For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon [d] his shoulder, and his name shall be called[e] Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace, there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
This prophetic passage from the Book of Isaiah has so much for us both at Christmas and throughout the year. Moreover, there is also something very specific here for those of us who serve in the God-ordained (Romans 13:1-4) profession of law enforcement. Let’s open our Bibles and dig in!
“Mighty God”
The Hebrew word gibbor, meaning “strong, mighty,” describes heroes like Nimrod, “a mighty warrior…before the LORD” (Genesis 10:8-9), and David’s “mighty warriors” in 2 Samuel 23:8. It’s also a word with powerful law enforcement and military application in depicting bravery, courage, integrity and righteous action. ALL of these qualities of gibbor are found in the name for God, El Gibbor — Mighty God.
Another example? Deuteronomy 10:17 says, “For the Lord, your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty [gibbor], and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.” (part of our Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is found right there — pointing us to the ultimate Cop in God Himself).
Sadly, in our “PC” (not probable cause but rather “politically correct” — an oxymoron if there ever was one) world, many, including many even in the “church” today, don’t want to teach on the truth of who is Savior actually is. Here, in this prophetic and powerful passage (along with many others), God again reveals himself to us as a mighty warrior.
Both physical and spiritual battles have raged across human history, with conflicts touching everyone who has ever lived. And the name El Gibbor, “Mighty God,” points to the day when all of God’s enemies, physical and spiritual, will be vanquished and all of creation will bow at the feet of Jesus, the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (all names for God the Son, Jesus Christ). As believers, can there be any greater comfort and confidence as we engage in the battles (hurts, pain, trials, tribulations, death, etc.) of our daily lives?
Whenever God allows us to experience circumstances we “feel” (emotion) are overwhelming us, we need to again have a “front sight focus” on Mighty God, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-3), so that we may not grow weary and lose heart. He is now and forever the One (and ONLY one) who is eternally “mighty to save” (Zephaniah 3:17) — our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Do YOU know Him and thus have that assurance?
Later, in Isaiah 61, the prophet again points us to the coming Savior as “Mighty God” — The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified (vs. 1-3).
The New Testament provides us with an opportunity to see the fullness of the “Mighty God” Isaiah predicted (taken as a whole, what we call overwhelming, irrefutable “evidence”). Sadly, there are still so many (including most of those serving in law enforcement) who continue to reject this clear evidence and, in doing so, are rejecting “Mighty God” Himself. Is that you?
Brothers and sisters, the saving power of our Mighty God — the very hope of CHRISTmas — is not “universal” or automatic. While God calls us to repentance so that “none should perish,” the nature of God’s love requires a choice on our part as to who we will follow and serve (ultimately the “god” of this world — Satan, or the Mighty God who has overcome the world — John 16:33). Who will you choose?