Jehovah Shalom: The Lord is Peace

Jehovah Shalom: The Lord is Peace

The search for peace and quiet has existed since time immemorial! It could very well be that the number one thing humankind searches for is peace! God’s name that we’re going to look at next is one of the most beautiful images He has put within us, and it speaks directly to our need for calm, security, and stability. It is the name Jehovah Shalom, which means “The Lord is Peace.”

Turmoil is a word that characterizes the present day and age. Everywhere we look there is turmoil and chaos around us: governments, economies, educational systems, and social upheavals – to say   nothing of natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunami waves, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes of gigantic proportions. The news is filled daily with reports of wars, riots, and violence.

Yet, the worst turmoil of all often takes place in one’s own soul, demonstrated by internal pain, anxiety, depression, and regret, leaving you with an unsettled ache within yourself,

God first reveals himself in the book of Judges, chapter 6 in the midst of the story of Gideon. Israel had come into the Promised Land, but even in the land of promise, the people experienced struggles and warfare and chaos. They had been brought into their destiny, yet they continued to face powerful enemies and battles. Apparently, you can arrive at the place God has for you and still experience turmoil! In the book of Judges, we see a cycle that the Children of Israel repeated over and over: sin, punishment, repentance, and deliverance. The name Jehovah Shalom appears in the midst of this sequence.

Israel had turned to the gods of the nations around them, incorporating idol worship into their own religion. An idol is that thing you ultimately count on for your provision, direction, and satisfaction. The Israelites had stopped looking to God as the one who made the universe. Instead, they had added Him to their collection of gods. They hadn’t given up their religion; God was still part of the equation. They had just dropped Him into the plethora of deities to whom they appealed. God considers this kind of idolatry to be sin in the greatest degree!

In Judges 6, we find God calling an ordinary man to do an extraordinary thing. Gideon had a huge inferiority complex, and when the angel addressed him as “Mighty Warrior”, he rather looked around for someone else! Gideon saw himself as somewhat less than God saw him! And isn’t that the case when we feel as though God is calling us to do something for Him? We look around to see who might be much more qualified or equipped!

In Judges 6:21-24, we see how distressed Gideon was when he realized he had seen the angel of the Lord face-to-face! It was at this point that God revealed himself to Gideon as Jehovah Shalom. The Lord said to him, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.” He experienced God’s presence and found peace in knowing that God was with him. Why was he encouraged and strengthened? Not because the challenge had gone away, but rather that he was certain that God was indeed with him!

God gave Gideon peace before he even entered into battle. Peace doesn’t come because our outward situations change. Peace comes because God, who lives in you, is greater than anything you may face. God wants you to find your peace in HIM, not in your circumstances.

So, let’s look at this idea of peace. What is Peace anyway? Peace is something bigger than simple calm. The word shalom means “wholeness, completeness, or well-being.” It means having things properly aligned and ordered. Shalom comes from living in harmony with God. The fruit of that harmony is harmony with others. When you pray to Yahweh Shalom, you are praying to the source of all peace. The Greek word for peace is Eirene, and it means “to live life at its best!” Does this sound anything like the abundant life Jesus promised?

While happiness depends on your circumstances, peace has to do with well-being regardless of circumstances. A person who is at peace is stable, calm, orderly, and at rest within. The truest manifestation of peace is a well-being that resonates from within despite what’s going on all around. Being at peace doesn’t mean being calm when everything around you is calm. When all is calm, you’re supposed to be calm!! Being at peace means you’re at rest even when everything else seems to be going wrong.

“Jesus said, ‘These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.’” – John 16:33

It’s one thing for the world to be falling apart, but it’s another thing for you to be falling apart with it! As you’re walking out this journey of grief and learning to live as a widow on your own, this is one of the most important lessons to learn. There will definitely be times when you will feel like you’re surrounded by chaos and impossibilities. Those are the moments to turn inward and find the peace that only Jehovah Shalom can give you.

So, how do we appropriate this name of God – this Jehovah Shalom? We enter by standing firmly in faith in our connection to Jesus Christ. Shalom tells us that the secret to victory over life’s drama is God Himself. We find this kind of peace in the very presence of Christ.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden,” Jesus invites, “and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29

Knowing the Truth and aligning our thoughts with the Truth are powerful ways to experience peace. If you desire to know true well-being and wholeness despite life’s circumstances, you must be in God’s presence. In His Presence, everything changes, and the storms become calm places of rest.

As you consider the situations that you may be facing, are you taking time to be in God’s presence and reflect on these names. How do they apply to your daily life? Elohim, the Creator; Jehovah, the Relational One; Adonai, your Lord – Provider and Protector; El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One; and Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is Peace. Are you appropriating each of these names to help you process grief and face the situations of your life? I encourage you to spend time thinking on these names and what they mean to you. You will find your inner being transforming even when your outer circumstances may not be changing. You will find The Lord is Your Peace.

As always, your thoughts and comments are welcome here or you can email me at sheryl@freshhope.us. If you’re looking for a new purpose and a pathway to move ahead, please consider joining one of our Refocusing Widows groups, either in person or online. You can register at www.refocusingwidows.org/Groups. We look forward to meeting you!