Post by foxjj on Nov 22, 2021 8:05:29 GMT
Shalom/Peace
The word Shalom occurs about 250 times in the Old Testament and is translated as Peace. Shalom comes from the root verb shalam, or salaam, meaning "to be complete, perfect, and full." This understanding helps us to realize that the Peace of Shalom is not only meant as the absence of war and conflict, but is the personal wholeness that everyone seeks.
The search for Peace can lead a person down many different paths. For a time one may believe they have found their Peace, but in the end it will fade. The Bible teaches true and lasting Shalom - a personal Peace - as found in Psalm 46 verse 10 which instructs: "Be still, and know that I am God." According to this instruction from our Heavenly Father, there is a way in which we can know Him. Through knowing Our Heavenly Father, we experience His forgiveness, Peace and love. Unless we learn to turn off the world for a short while, and spend that precious time with our God, we will not know Shalom, the perfect Peace of His presence in our life.
The question then is how can we know Him? For sinful humanity, to know God in the truest sense, is impossible. However, the Good News is that Our Heavenly Father has made a way; He sent His Son. In John 14:1, Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." According to this verse, to believe in Jesus is to believe in the God of The Bible, thereby experiencing Shalom.
The Bible points the way to a permanent Peace in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed God would send a Messiah who would also be The Prince of Peace when he wrote:
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
(Isaiah 9:6).
When the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus - The Messiah - they proclaimed:
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
(Luke 2:10-14 NIV)
This is the heavenly Shalom, which is the Peace that can only be experienced by those who know God and, have the assurance that their sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ, who said: “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) For over two thousand years, The Lord Jesus has been faithful to His Word. His followers have endured many trials, but through it all they have experienced the Peace that only the Prince of Peace can give - God’s Shalom.
Today, let us give thanks for God’s Shalom in our lives.
John Joseph Fox.
The word Shalom occurs about 250 times in the Old Testament and is translated as Peace. Shalom comes from the root verb shalam, or salaam, meaning "to be complete, perfect, and full." This understanding helps us to realize that the Peace of Shalom is not only meant as the absence of war and conflict, but is the personal wholeness that everyone seeks.
The search for Peace can lead a person down many different paths. For a time one may believe they have found their Peace, but in the end it will fade. The Bible teaches true and lasting Shalom - a personal Peace - as found in Psalm 46 verse 10 which instructs: "Be still, and know that I am God." According to this instruction from our Heavenly Father, there is a way in which we can know Him. Through knowing Our Heavenly Father, we experience His forgiveness, Peace and love. Unless we learn to turn off the world for a short while, and spend that precious time with our God, we will not know Shalom, the perfect Peace of His presence in our life.
The question then is how can we know Him? For sinful humanity, to know God in the truest sense, is impossible. However, the Good News is that Our Heavenly Father has made a way; He sent His Son. In John 14:1, Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." According to this verse, to believe in Jesus is to believe in the God of The Bible, thereby experiencing Shalom.
The Bible points the way to a permanent Peace in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed God would send a Messiah who would also be The Prince of Peace when he wrote:
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
(Isaiah 9:6).
When the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus - The Messiah - they proclaimed:
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
(Luke 2:10-14 NIV)
This is the heavenly Shalom, which is the Peace that can only be experienced by those who know God and, have the assurance that their sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ, who said: “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) For over two thousand years, The Lord Jesus has been faithful to His Word. His followers have endured many trials, but through it all they have experienced the Peace that only the Prince of Peace can give - God’s Shalom.
Today, let us give thanks for God’s Shalom in our lives.
John Joseph Fox.