In our world, there is unrest in every major country. There are wars where terrorists keep the entire world on alert. There are wars that are fought between countries and wars between people. Today we need to remind ourselves of the great attributes of our God. Each name that God uses for Himself reveals to us an aspect of His character that helps us to know Him better. He is often referred to in scripture as Jehovah – Shalom, which means “The Lord of peace.” In a world where there is little peace, it will do us well to meditate on this truth about our God.
In Judges chapter 6, we find Gideon threshing wheat. He is doing it in solitude because he is trying to hide it from the Midianites. God allowed the Israelites to be beaten down and pushed back, to become so afraid that all they did was exist. They had disobeyed God and turned to idol worship, and now they were suffering the consequences.
Judges 6:2 “And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strongholds.”
Judges 6:4 “And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.”
There was no peace in the Israelite camp. Fear had taken over. The total opposite of peace was in control. These were the people that God had set free from captivity. The ones he had shown great miracles. They had experienced his great power, but when prosperity and peace set in, they forgot the God of that peace. They had become comfortable and complacent while the enemy lurked waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce on his prey.
God comes to Gideon and speaks to him. Once again God is ready to save them from their enemies.
Judges 6:12-14 “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?”
Gideon obeys and trusts God. He does not understand all that is about to happen, but he put his faith in the one true God, and a feeling of deep inward peace is now in control. A peace that only God can give.
Judges 6:23 – 24a “And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom:”
If you read “the rest of the story” you will see God prevail in a mighty way. A way where he gets all the glory.
God desires his children to totally trust him. To give him full control. and take our hands off the reins of our life. It is only in believing in his power, love, and mercy that we can experience Jehovah-shalom.
In Philippians 4:8-9 he gives us a perfect pattern, that will lead us to perfect peace. Our peace of mind is controlled by what we think. What we think controls what we do. If you are uneasy, take verse 8 and break it down. Go through the passage and write down the things that are true. Such as God’s mercy, His love, His justice, and I could go on and on. It is an exercise well worth doing daily until it transforms the way you think.
Just like Gideon, if we obey we will receive this deep-seated peace. A peace that passes all understanding of man.
Philippians 4:8 – 9 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
