JEHOVAH SHALOM Part 2

We are looking at how God reveals Himself to us through His various names, each name describing a different aspect of His character.  Jehovah Shalom denotes God of peace. The word peace comes from the Greek word “eirene” which is defined as: a state of rest, quietness, calmness, and absence of strife.  Ultimate peace is a result of reconciliaing with God and placing faith in His Word.  Peace is NOT based on our circumstances or in our relationships with others.  True peace results from being in a right relationship with God. When we focus on God and not our circumstances, we can have peace even while everything around us seems to be falling apart.

Jesus tells us in John 10:10  “ The thief (satan) comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.”  I believe one of the first things satan tries to steal from us is our peace.  If he can plant doubt and unbelief in our heart, our thinking becomes disconnected from God and His Word, resulting in loss of our peace.  We need to remember, staying connected to God and believing in His promises, is a CHOICE. Choosing to place our faith in something besides God, is an open door for our peace to be stolen.  We must learn to hold on to this precious gift of peace from God and recognize its value.

I can almost hear you saying, “you don’t know what I’m going through.”  You’re right, I don’t, but God does and I do know God and His Word rise above every situation.  As we begin to shift our thinking from our circumstances to God’s promises, peace will fill our heart and mind.

Isaiah 26:3 tell us, “You (God)  will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].”

God has promised - when we focus on Him, peace is ours.

Father, I renounce any chaos and confusion that has ruled in the hearts of your children and I declare your Word over their lives:
“Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. “ Colossians 3:15

JEHOVAH SHALOM

God's name, Jehovah Shalom, is first found in the book of Judges. This is a narration about Gideon,  a young man who was filled with fear and felt inferior to those around him. God had instructed Gideon to fight the Midianites, but he could not envision himself as a warrior.  God reassured Gideon by speaking Truth into his heart. Judges 6:23-24, “It is all right” the Lord replied. "Do not be afraid. You will not die." And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means the Lord is peace).

God’s Word is filled with scriptures relating to peace for His children rather than chaos and confusion.

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

 Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

In John 14:27 Jesus declares, “ Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]”

These scriptures clearly relate God’s desire for His children to live a peaceful life.

Jesus gave us the gift peace, but often life seems filled with confusion and chaos. We have to understand, our peace is NOT dictated by our circumstances or situations, but true peace is connected to our relationship with God. Peace is obtained when we trust in God completely.  We could define peace as the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever.

In upcoming articles we will see how this gift from God, peace, can become a way of life for every child of God.

Father, I pray that You will open the eyes of our understanding so we will see that Your peace is a promise meant for Your children. Show us how we can be at peace in the midst of our greatest battles. Stir up a desire in our hearts to know You more intimately.