Wednesdays Words.htm
Posted by: balderman <balderman@...>
Wednesdays Words
JEHOVA SHALOM
Judges 6:22-24 “When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he cried out, "Sovereign LORD, I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" "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 "The LORD Is Peace." The altar remains in Ophrah in the land of the clan of Abiezer to this day.”
Jehovah Shalom (Yehavah Shalowm) - Jehovah (is) peace
What is peace?
In the Old Testament it carried the meaning of a total well being and completeness. Sometimes used for the completion of a building. Sometimes it also carried the added meanings of security, health, prosperity and the absence of war.
In the New Testament “peace” often referred to the inner quietness and calmness of a person who truly is trusting in Christ. Jesus defined peace as a combination of trust, hope and assurance in Him.
To tie these together we have peace on earth only when the work of Jesus Christ is at work in our lives and we will only have true peace when His work is completed and we are with Him in Heaven.
Peace comes when Christ restores what was sick or broken. Mark 5:34 “And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed."
Sin is a destroyer. It destroys our joy, happiness and life. We need Jesus to bring us peace when He becomes part of us.
Far too often we look for peace in our jobs, our “stuff”, our self, our counselors or our “crutch”. All we ever find is a temporary satisfaction that is masquerading as peace. True peace is not a “thing”, true peace is a person – Jesus Christ.
Peace is something to be strived after and worked for. Matthew 5:9 “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” God leaves little option for true believers but to be peace seekers. We are to love our neighbor and war does not represent love.
Peace is a gift given by our Loving God. He loves us so much that He sent peace, His Son Jesus, so that we could have eternal life and peace when we came to faith in Him. John 14:26-27 “But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative-- and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit-- he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you. I am leaving you with a gift-- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.”
A submarine was on patrol during wartime and had to remain submerged overnight. When it resurfaced the next day. A friend on another ship radioed the captain, “How did you fare in that terrible storm last night?” Surprised, the officer exclaimed, “What storm? We didn’t know there was one!.” Although the ocean surface had been whipped into huge waves by high winds, the submarine was not affected because the waters below were calm and tranquil.
So should a Christian’s life be. No matter how much you are beaten and battered by the world or our enemy, no matter what is thrown at you, know that Jesus is on your side and you can have calmness because of your faith in Jesus Christ. The peace inside is more powerful than the world outside.
Have a peaceful week!
