Shalom is a Jewish greeting of well being. But there is so much more to this word that just a wish for well being. Shalom
means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness,
tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of
agitation or discord. Shalom comes from the root verb shalom meaning to be
complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem
means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.
What I want to do is fill the word "Shalom" with the New Testament concepts of peace, joy, fulfillment, contentment and a quiet confidence. To use this word to envelope all these terms. But first let's lay a foundation.
What I want to do is fill the word "Shalom" with the New Testament concepts of peace, joy, fulfillment, contentment and a quiet confidence. To use this word to envelope all these terms. But first let's lay a foundation.
What is the difference between Peace With God and the Peace of God? Peace with God is when a person commits themselves to follow Jesus - when the accept His death, burial and resurrection as the payment for their sin. (Romans 5:1)
The Peace of God is when we experience "Shalom" in this life. When our life is filled with joy, contentment, peace and a quiet confidence. (John 14:27 John 16:33)
Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV) Rejoice in the
Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is
near. Do not be anxious about anything, but
in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests
to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus. Finally, brothers,
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from
me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
When There Is "Shalom" in Life there is a Peace the passes all understanding. There is a calm confidence that God is in Control. Whatever we are facing God will bring good out of it somehow. (Romans 8:28) Whatever challenges we are encountering - whether from someone else, ourselves or spiritual forces at work - God promises to provide the strength and guidance to get us through it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) There can be rest for whatever "It is " it may be bigger than us - but it isn't bigger than God.
However, there are things in life that destroy the "Shalom" in our lives. When we are ungrateful - when we are driven by what we don't have rather than thankful for what we do have we will not experience "Shalom" in our lives. Distrust in God kills "Shalom" in our lives. When we try and control people, things, circumstances that are not our to control we will loose "Shalom." Stress, worry, anxiety are all indicators that we feel it is up to us to control or resolve things/people/relationships rather than trusting God to do so.
So what provides "Shalom" when our desires/needs/life is out of our control? Take our request to God in Prayer - Tell God the desires of your heart - tell God what you want to happen. However, realize that you really might now what is best. We don't know all the details - we don't know the future and we tend to desire the easiest, quickest most comfortable path for our lives. Remember Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane - "Father I don't want this - but Your will be done."
After you ask - have the faith - confidence to thank Him that the answer is on the way. We don't know when or how, but we can trust that His best is coming.
I pray that we experience/glimpse "Shalom" in our lives this week.
