God is Peace

Jehovah Shalom

Yahweh Shalom

God is Peace

Yahweh Shalom - God is Peace

This is the name given by Gideon at the altar he built on the spot where the angel of the Lord appeared to him. (Judges 6:23)

Peace is the deepest desire of the human heart. Peace represents contentment and satisfaction in life. Our hearts crave peace. 

God has always understood how much we need peace:

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed", says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)

" And I will make an agreement of peace with them; it will be an eternal agreement with them; and I will have mercy on them and make their numbers great, and will put my holy place among them forever."  (Ezekiel 37:26)

Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished, you have done for us. (Isaiah 26:12)

The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses His people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)

God promised to restore Israel not only physically but spiritually.  This promise of peace was ultimately to be fulfilled by Jesus. 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders and he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jesus reminds us that He IS peace. When Jesus left this world to return to heaven, He knew that we would still need Him to give us peace. He left us peace through the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God within us and all believers, helping us live as God wants, working for us and in us.

"I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

" Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

The world's view of peace is very different from God's view of peace. 

PEACE - it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. - Author Unknown

The peace of the world is the absence of any trouble, worry or fears. The peace of God is is confidence and assurance that, despite any circumstance, He is with us. This world does not have the final say - Jesus has overcome the world!

What do we do when God's peace seems elusive? So often we ask for peace, beg for peace, yet it seems the gates of heaven have been closed to our pleas.

We must TRUST! We cannot receive the peace of God when our heart and mind is full of worry. Worry shows that we are not trusting in God - it takes our mind off God and places it on our current or future problems. 

Do not 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. (Philippians 4:6-9)

We cannot experience the peace of God unless we are trusting and focusing on Him.

Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace. - Author Unknown

Have you lost your peace? Are you struggling to find peace? First, pray. Tell God what you need, what is troubling you. Next, give thanks. Thank God for all He has done for you. It's hard to worry and not have peace when you are giving God thanks. Finally, keep your heart and your mind focused on God's promises. He has promised unfailing love and peace to you. Accept that love...accept that peace. 

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Blessings,

Mandy