Monday Morning Reflections ~ Shalom

It's Monday Morning Reflections and I continue to study Ann Spangler's book "Praying the Names of God" with Jill of Forever N Ever N Always.  This week our focus is on God as Yahweh Shalom. 

Is it hard for you to think of peace when you have problems?  What happens when you read the newspaper headlines or hear about the ongoing fighting in the Mideast?  Is your son or daughter in the military? Can you have peace when you know their life may be in harm's way fighting for freedom?

For seven long years, the Midianites played havoc over the Israelites because they had done evil in the Lord's eyes.  Gideon was hiding out in a winepress threshing wheat.  There the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon calling him a mighty warrior and saying that God was with him.  He was told not to be afraid and that he would not die.

"So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it THE LORD is Peace." Judges 6:24

Ann wrote:

...God's mere presence would be enough to transform this fearful man into a mighty warrior capable of winning the peace for an entire nation.

In case you missed this video from last week, I'm going to post it again.  My blogging friend Elaine Olsen recently released her book called "Peace for the Journey" and her book trailer is so good.  It speaks on this topic of peace and where to find it.

Shalom does not refer to the absence of problems or a state of inner calm.  Ann writes:

Shalom comes from living in harmony with God.  The fruit of that harmony is harmony with others, prosperity, health, satisfaction, soundness, wholeness, and well-being.  When you pray to Yahweh Shalom, you are praying to the source of all peace.  No wonder his Son is called the Prince of Peace.

The Israelites had been freed from their slavery in Egypt and were in the Promised Land.  If you are a believer, you have been delivered from slavery to sin.  However, do you look to other things to provide you with security and peace? 

• 
  
  Your spouse
• 
  
  Your children
• 
  
  Financial freedom
• 
  
  A well paying job
• 
  
  Popularity
• 
  
  Beauty
• 
  
  Beautiful home
• 
  
  Vacation

You may  have some temporary relief with any of the above, but you will only have lasting peace when you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Real peace comes only from God.  That constant conscious communication with the only One who can provide lasting peace and security.

Blessings and love,