Peace Be Still

It seems almost impossible to have it in our lives. Everywhere we look there is the overwhelming sense of terror mingled with fright, and the unknown is a never-ending nightmare with a barrage of questions that causes everyone in its path to become even more anxious and panicky. There's a constant nagging and gnawing internally that is about to drive you insane! It's presence seems so distant, like a memory from long ago, that you begin to wonder if it was ever really yours in the first place. When did the separation occur? More importantly, would you ever be able to reunite and feel good again? Millions of people long for it, with every fiber of their being they begin to crave it. They search high and look low, but still, it cannot be found. Could it be they are actually looking in the wrong place? They know it exists, but many of us seem to have forgotten that it's so easy to have, is it even real? We find ways to weave it in our conversations, by casually dropping a line about it not being for sale; something we couldn't buy. Many people would never believe it's actually free. That's right! F-R-E-E~ FREE! The best money and purest gold could not buy it, but still those in mega-million dollar homes are without it. Are you still wondering what I'm talking about? I'm talking about peace. Peace of mind; peace of soul; peace period!

We've all been at the end of our rope and felt like we would lose our minds. Or is it just me? But just when you felt your last thread of sanity snap, the engulfing waves of peace washed over you and immediately you felt a presence like never before. Suddenly the load didn't seem SO heavy, and the road up ahead wasn't THAT dim, and life becomes like a box of chocolates and come what may, you realize you can make it!

Jehovah Shalom~ The Lord is Peace

We are first introduced to Jehovah Shalom after the Lord appeared to Gideon and told him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die." The Lord personally telling someone they are not going to die is GREAT news; however, the "do not be afraid" part is what really caught my eye. I believe God is saying the same thing to all of His children right now. Of course He's screaming it over our electronic devices, social networks, and anything else that can become a god in our lives. He is constantly saying, “Do NOT be afraid!" to whatever we are facing and going through. It may be the constant reminders that there is a recession; your place of employment has announced they are going to be laying off; the doctor has done the tests, but now comes the waiting period. God is saying to you, " (fill in your name) Do NOT be afraid!" I will handle whatever it is that has you concerned. I believe that in telling us not to be afraid, He also ask, the simple question "Do you trust me? Do you trust me enough, that I CAN handle whatever is going on in your life?”

In the Hebrew language, Shalom is used as a greeting and also has the deeper meaning behind it for the person to be well- satisfied, healthy, harmonious with themselves, others, and God. In Judges 6, I believe Gideon didn't know what to think when the meat was consumed by fire from the Lord, and when he realized just what had happened, automatically he went into panic mode. In the Bible day, it was a HUGE deal for the Lord to not only appear to a person face to face, but someone to see Him and live. But in his automatic mode of fret and fright, God greets him with Shalom because He wants to assure him that everything is all right. Gideon then builds an alter to the Lord and called it "The Lord is Peace".

Since the Lord is Peace, it’s only befitting that His Son holds the reigning title as being the Prince of Peace. The disciples were first-hand witnesses when Jesus spoke to the storm and commanded, “Peace be still”. I can just about imagine the looks on their faces as instantly there was silence when only nano seconds before Jesus was asleep, the disciples are wide awake, and Mother Nature is cutting up. Why they were up when Jesus was sleep will always be a mystery to me, but I learned two things from that story. One God is ALWAYS there, even when it is in the midst of your life’s storms. He promised He will never leave us or forsake us, and when you’re backed up against the wall, hold Him to His Word! The second thing I learned is that if God is resting in my trial, I should find rest in Him. Just like He spoke to the storm, His arms are wide open as He beckons us to find the peace we've been longing for in His arms. More than anything He desires for you to be satisfied, healthy, and harmonious in Him and with Him.


Judges 6
Mark 4
Hebrews 13:5