We've been studying the four designations for the Messiah that appear in the latter half of Isaiah 9:6. Today's Messianic title for consideration is "Mighty God." Though the Hebrew word for "God" ('el) is sometimes used in the Old Testament to refer to human kings and judges (cf. Exodus 7:1; Psalm 82), Isaiah does not use it that way here - or anywhere else in his prophecy, for that matter. Every time Isaiah uses term "God" he means deity. In fact, Isaiah has just declared in chapters 7 and 8 that this king would be known as Immanu-'el, "God with us." To have a human king among us is one thing; to have God Himself with us is something else!
This Messiah is the "mighty God." There's another reference in the Old Testament where these two words appear together: Psalm 45:3, which says, "Gird your sword, O Mighty One . . . Your throne, O God, is forever and ever." In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews uses this very passage to refer Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 1:8)!
When Jesus came to earth the first time, He appeared as the Babe in Bethlehem, the Suffering Servant, as One who was "despised and rejected of men" (Isa. 53:3). But we must never mistake Jesus' meekness for a lack of might! He was and is the "mighty God"! Just before His ascension back to heaven, Jesus declared, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth" (Matt. 28:18). To catch a glimpse of Jesus' present and eternal glory, read the apostle John's description of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1.
As I meditate on the might of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, my thoughts go to a chorus I learned years ago by Marlene Bigley:
Great and mighty is the Lord our God, -
Great and mighty is He!
Great and mighty is the Lord our God, -
Great and mighty is He!
Lift up your banner, let the anthems ring -
Praises to our King;
Great and mighty is the Lord our God, -
Great and mighty is He!
Our God is mighty to save! And He is worthy of all our praise! Let us bow before Him humbly in worship, thanking Him for rescuing us from our sin and leading us into His heavenly kingdom!