SEARCHLIGHT
In the midst of chaos and turmoil, how do you get peace of mind?
SCRIPTURE
And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom [which means “The Lord is Peace”]. Judges 6:24 NLT
SPOTLIGHT
Knowing someone’s name is so important. But knowing someone by name is even more important! Do you personally know any of the “Who’s Who of the World”? Maybe you know about some prominent people who have world influence but more than likely you don’t personally know them by name. Here’s the twist. You can personally know the “Who’s Who of the Universe”! God, the living Creator of all, wants you to personally know Him by name.
The “Who’s Who of the Universe” has chosen to reveal Himself by identifying His 9 compound names in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In order to personally know the Living God by name, ask yourself the following question in the next paragraph.
Are you enjoying the promise of God to make you whole and content?
Who’s Who when it comes to leading the way to peace? Is it Ghandi, Mother Teresa or Alfred Bernard Nobel? The answer is none! But there is one! No peace giver can compare to the greatest Peace Giver who is identified in today’s Scripture focus. His name is Jehovah Shalom which means “The Lord is Peace.”
In the beginning God created everything and said it was good. All of creation was at peace. Man was at peace with God, people and nature. There was no disunity, hatred, fear, guilt or shame. But that did not last long.
In my lifetime, I cannot remember a period of time in the world when there has not been wars or disasters. Covid 19 caused a great world unsettling. That pandemic resulted in fear, masks, transportation shutdowns, financial crises, death, and so much more.
Life is filled with challenges, problems and opposition that can produce fear, anxiety, oppression, stress, worry, and anger. When facing opposition, do you have peace of mind, or do you tend to give someone a piece of your mind? Angrily speaking or being harshly critical can often reflect a deep need for peace. Giving someone a piece of your mind will never give you the peace of mind you want and need.
When facing trouble, are you able to be untroubled? In the midst of a storm, do you experience calm? Experiencing tranquility is not an ability. Having personal contentment when everyone around is experiencing discontentment is not being lucky. Neither is it due to taking stimulant relaxers or exercising mind over matter. Peace of mind is a precious possession that cannot be bought, sold, bartered for, stolen, stored away in a jar, or swallowed in pill form.
In Judges 6, God met with Gideon in a precious way. Gideon’s world was filled with adversity and fear. Probably he lived in a cave rather than a home because of his enemies. It is well worth taking the time to read this story. And let me be quick to add that God will meet with you too! Why? Because Gideon learned God’s covenant keeping name is Jehovah Shalom. Jehovah means “I am who I am.” Shalom means “peace.” Together they declare God does not just give peace but is peace. [Romans 15:33; 2 Corinthians 13:11] The Lord can be your peace!
Experiencing tranquility is personally knowing God. God’s presence gives to you the soundness and security you long for. Matthew Henry said, “Safety consists not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.” Gideon knew God was with him. Is God with you?
Do you personally know God? God’s presence is the source of your peace. Relationship with God gives to you the peace you need along with much more. The Bible uses the word “peace” to denote many different things that you need in order to enjoy completeness and harmony. The word “peace” describes safety 37 times, health and prosperity 42 times, tranquility and contentment 72 times, peace from war 50 times, friendship 8 times and a personal relationship with God 19 times. The “peace” that God speaks of is a word that refers to your total well-being. God gives all types of peace because He is Jehovah Shalom, “The Lord is peace.” Receiving God’s peace will make you complete and whole.
Remember this: NO GOD! NO PEACE! KNOW GOD! KNOW PEACE! The peace you need does not come in a package or a pill. Peace comes from personally experiencing a Christ empowerment. The Bible says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:7 NIV] The peace you need comes from Jesus Christ. He gave His life to make peace between you and God. Read Hebrews 13:20,21. Are you experiencing every form of God’s peace because you have made Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord? Remember this acrostic and pray it often.
P ERSONALLY
EXPERIENCING
A
CHRIST
EMPOWERMENT
SOMETHING TO DO
Take the following steps to experience Jehovah Shalom:
- Meet with God right now. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t postpone this meeting.
- Make Jesus Christ your peace. Confess your sin and invite Him to be your Savior. Read Romans 5:1 and Ephesians 2:14-18.
- Know God’s promises. Read Psalm 29:11 and Isaiah 26:3,4; 32:17
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Thank you, Lord God, Jehovah Shalom, for being my peace. Because of You I am no longer a bundle of nerves, living at wits end, or resigning from the human race. Your presence is giving me the greatest confidence in the midst of the greatest darkness. Thank you, Jesus Christ, that You have become my GREATEST PEACE GIVER. Amen