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Volume. XXXVI, No. 39 Jehovah Shalom – God Is My Peace Our God is Jehovah Shalom which means God is My Peace. A standard greeting in Israel today is Shalom. Jerusalem, Israel's capital, means "city of peace" or "possession of peace." But more importantly, God is called Jehovah Shalom. "Shalom" translated "peace" 170 times means "whole," "finished," "fulfilled," "perfected." Related to "well," welfare." Shalom is the kind of peace that results from being a whole person in a right relationship with God and one's fellow man.
The Name of God- Jehovah Shalom is given first at Judges Chapter 6. We know the period of Judges was a unique time when Israel had no king and people did what was right in their eyes. In the absence of theocracy and God-centeredness, people sink into spiritual and moral decay. Such was the time in Judges Chapter 6 when the Midianites opposed Israel because they forgot God and did evil in the sight of the Lord. Israel was being judged for its sin. Israel had been overcome by the Midianites and was not even allowed to harvest their fields. They had been under the bondage of the Midianites for seven years.
God calls Gideon to lead in the deliverance of Israel. Before Gideon could become Israel's deliverer, he first came to know God in a genuine, personal and respectful way. To accomplish this, God revealed Himself in a particular way to Gideon. He came to Gideon in the form of the ―angel of the Lord. The angel of the LORD here, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the Old Testament revelation of the 2nd person of the trinity. This is a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. In verse 16 of Chapter 6, the Lord said, " Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man." Gideon is not a likely candidate to deliver Israel. He is full of doubts and unbelief. He is a small but hard-working farmer who is busy hiding grain from the Midianites. Yet in vs. 12, God calls Gideon a mighty man of valor. Nothing in Gideon's life is so powerful, yet God, who looks on the heart, a man who looks on the outward appearance, knew Gideon would demonstrate faith and prove God right. When we submit to God's plan, he makes everything suitable for us. Not by our strength but by His enabling grace, we are what we are.
When the angel of the Lord came to Gideon in Judges 6:11, Gideon's sacrifice was consumed. He knew right then that he had seen God and thought he would die. The angel answered him in verses 22-24, "And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites." Gideon built an altar to worship God and called it Jehovah Shalom. Almighty God prepared Gideon for war by becoming his perfect Peace. Peace did not come for Gideon from outward circumstances, and it came from who God is inside him. The vast army of the Midianites didn't drive out his Peace once He confirmed that Jehovah Shalom was faithful with him. Gideon's Peace was in a Person, and his Peace was in the word of that person. If you notice in Colossians 3 verse 15: "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts," God's Peace wants to sit on the throne of your heart and mind.
We live in a world that is in constant strife with one another. It is a confusing world, a world full of chaos, troubles, and sorrow. We all yearn to have real Peace, Peace in our heart and soul, Peace of mind, and Peace of conscience. Yet there is war among nations, in church and home. The name of our God is Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Our Peace. Phil 4:6-7 tells us clearly what God's path to Peace is. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Yes, when we have with God, we will experience the peace of God. We should not let worry overwhelm us and bring our fears and concerns to God. And then when we with prayer and thanksgiving call upon God then Shalom that is beyond reasoning, comprehension, understanding, will guard or protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (the Anointed Salvation of Jehovah)
In Isaiah 9:6, we have Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Jesus has made peace between God and us by paying for our sins. Today nothing can separate us from the love of God because the Prince of Peace made Shalom between God and us. When Christ was born, the angels sang about the glad tidings of Peace in Lk 2:14, " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Peace himself had come to earth. Even after his resurrection, his first words to the disciples were, "Peace be unto you.” Today we can experience the Peace that rules our heart and mind as we have Peace with God and the Peace of God. One of the beautiful pictures of Peace to me is Psalm 23. We are lying in green pastures by the still waters under His loving shepherding care. Even when walking through the valley of the shadow of death, Our shepherd is with us. Hence no fear but Peace. Brethren, let us always remember Peace is not based on circumstances. Peace is the result of having a relationship with Jesus the Prince of Peace and experiencing his assurance in the middle of the worst situation. In John 6:17-21, we see the storm, the waves, and the wind? But with Christ as the vessel, we can smile at the storm. Where ever Jesus is, there is Peace. Let Jehovah Shalom in your boat!
Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord our Peace, Christ had to make atonement for our sins, pacify the offended justice of God, and fulfil the law of God in our place. When men and women are at Peace with God, they are at peace with one another. Where Jehovah-Shalom is known and worshipped, peace reigns. In the home that is under the rule of Christ, peace reigns. There is Peace in the local Church that Christ governs (John 14:27). Christ breaks down the partition walls that separate men from one another (Col. 3:11). Jehovah-Shalom begets love in the hearts of his people, and love has Peace. Ever pray for and promote the "peace of Jerusalem" (Eph. 4:1-3). The Church of God is his Jerusalem, the City of Peace. Our charter is the gospel of Peace. Our Ruler is the Prince of Peace. Our Defence is the Spirit of Peace.
When all is well between me and my God, I have Peace, an inward, sedate, composed, cheerful heart at all times, in all circumstances, under all conditions (Isa. 26:3). What is the source of this blessed, inward Peace? Jehovah-Shalom. We enjoy Peace from God in exact proportion to our faith in and understanding of his glorious sovereignty (Ps. 115:3), the efficacy of Christ's blood and righteousness as our Substitute (Heb. 9:12), the wisdom and goodness of his adorable providence (Rom. 8:28), and the certainty and fullness of his boundless promises (II Cor. 1:20). If we would have Peace, we must go to him for it (Matt. 11:28-29, Phil. 4:4-13). He alone can give true Peace whose name is Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Our Peace.
Rev Mathews Abraham |
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