Jehovah Shaloam - God of Peace

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

No money, position, or possessions can buy peace. Everyone is looking for it, and will even go to extremes to find it. Some find it in buying stuff, some in drugs or alcohol. So look to other people like psychiatrists, spiritualists and will even make long distance trips to the other side of the world to find peace. Peace is not something you will find externally but within yourself. How do you do that?

I would suggest that you look at the definition of peace or shaloam. It means basically, wholeness; nothing missing, nothing broken. Is there nothing missing or broken in your life? This is another introspective question. No one can answer this but you. Is there something that nags in the back of your mind that keeps you bound up? Is there a legal or financial issue hanging “out there” that you can’t forget? Is there something in your past that won’t let you go?

The Bible has a lot to say about peace. God even required a “Peace Offering” for the sins of the people in the Old Testament. To do that, a goat, sheep or dove was sacrificed for God to redeem their sins. Then, God was constantly telling His people in the Old Testament “Do Not Fear for I am with you,” or “I go before you,” or “I will not leave you.” You see, God had a covenant with His people. He was bound to them to care for, provide and oversee their lives.

In the New Testament we find a new Redeemer, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He became the ultimate sacrifice once and for all. No longer do we need to give an annual animal sacrifice. His death on the cross, that one time, took care of ALL the sins of ALL the people who would one day accept His birth, death and resurrection. As a result, we are considered righteous (in right standing) in the eyes of El Elyon (the Most High God). We are now in Covenant with God who will provide for us, protect us, be with us at all times and even go ahead of us. He is at our side, our back, above us and under girds us with His everlasting arms.

Now tell me, what do you have to be afraid of, concerned over, anxious about? In Romans 8:15 we hear how close we are to the Trinity: “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” If we are an heir of God and a joint heir of Jesus, then we have power and authority over every device the enemy has to throw at us, no matter what the situation.

Our job is to TRUST our Abba, Father; our Daddy. He knows what is best, what is healthy, or what is prosperous for you. Trust His judgment. Trust His Love. Trust His hand. Then sit back and be at peace because you are not in control of your life, God is! He is waiting for you to declare your life back to him. Cast your cares on Him and He will care for you.

Confession: I admit I am not resting peacefully in the arms of my Daddy, Abba Father. I have neglected to let Him carry me through my situation. From this day forward, I will not hold on to my problems or circumstances to worry about, but will trust My God to walk with me through them and keep my mind open to His voice and direction.