Eternal Father

His name will be called . . . Eternal Father.
–Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 says that the coming Messiah would be called the “Eternal Father.” How could the Son of God also be the Eternal Father? That is a mystery that is far beyond my pay grade, to understand how God can be a son and a father at the same time. But what we do know is this: Jesus is equal to God.

The phrase “Eternal Father” is one of relationship. When we trust in Christ to be our Savior, when that barrier of sin is forever broken down between God and us, it changes our relationship with God. No longer are we enemies of God, the Bible says, but we become friends of God. No longer are we slaves of God, but we are sons and daughters of God with the same rights as Jesus Christ Himself. And because of that, we can call upon God not as some distant deity, but we can call on Him as our Abba, Father, our Daddy, our Papa. The phrase “Eternal Father” denotes the relationship that we have with God and the love He has for us–a love that is eternal and is as steadfast as God Himself.

As we reflect on God our Father and His faithfulness from generation to generation, let’s look at what Scripture says about Jesus:

• “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:1-2).
• “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
• “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13).
• “He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

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Today’s devotion is excerpted from “His Name Is Jesus” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2011.

“O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” lyrics by Isaac Watts, 1719

Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.