Devotional 44: God is Peace – Jehovahshalom

When we think of all of the divine attributes that we have looked upon and marveled over in these devotionals, we can ascertain that they all function in perfect harmony. So we should not be surprised that someone in the Scriptures recognized God as Jehovahshalom when he built an altar to worship Him:

Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.” But the LORD said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it, The LORD Is Peace [Jehovahshalom] (Judges 6:22-24).

Scripture clearly teaches that peace comes from God. In the New Testament we find 5 times the phrase the God of peace and 12 times the phrase peace from God.  God can only give to His children what He possesses!  But what does God have in having peace? What is peace?  Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines peace as “freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquility; calmness; quiet of conscience.”  Peace may be something you just have to experience to really know its meaning.  Are you experiencing peace from God?  Or do you need to seek peace from God?

When a spirit of fear or anxiety overtakes you, know that the God of peace wants to help you:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:4-9).

Did you notice that God’s peace is beyond our understanding—and that it will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus?  This peace is a gift from the God-man, Jesus Christ!  Do you remember when the disciples were troubled about Christ’s soon departure from this world to again be in glory with his Father in heaven? Jesus comforted them with these words of promise, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27).  This peace is still available from Jesus as we confront the trials and agonies of earthly life. Paul believed that Jesus still wants all of his followers to have peace in every situation. He concluded the second letter to the Thessalonians with this blessing, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

When we are not at peace, it is certainly not God’s fault. Please receive the peace that is yours in Christ! I will close with the blessing the Old Testament priest were commanded to pronounce on the children of Israel:

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

With Prayer, Mark

© November, 2012         Scripture quoted: ESV – Emphasis added

Verses for our meditation:  God Is Peace

Psalm 85:7-13, Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.

Isaiah 9:6-7,  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

John 14:27,  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Romans 1:7, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1, Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:33, May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:3, Graceto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:2, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:11, Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Galations 1:3-5, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

1Thessalonians 5:23, Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 13:20-21, Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.