Continuing my 2020 Lenten Journey- with personal thoughts and commentary by Martha McDuff Wiggins on the book “Lord I Want To Know You” by Kay Arthur.
Day 33
Jehovah-shalom, The LORD is Peace
Philippians 4:4-7
—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 every situation, 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.
What does it mean to be at peace? A world at peace is a world without war. Real world peace is not just the absence of war between nations, but rather nations and peoples coexisting within the spirit of Jehovah-shalom, The LORD is Peace. Without Him, there can be know earthly peace.
This earthly life can be tough at times. Many are filled with an anxious spirit over things they cannot control. Many are fearful over the unknown. Many worry about things that may never even come to pass. Anxiety, fear, and worry can rule our lives and actually make us physically ill. They can rob of us our health as much as any disease. They make peace elusive in our personal lives.
God does not want our hearts to be ruled by those three peace robbers. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2nd Timothy 1:7).
If we find peace elusive then we may not be walking in His Spirit. Remember in the previous post that when we accept/allow His indwelling Spirit to fill us, we change both inwardly and outwardly. We also receive the fruits (Think Gifts) of His Spirit within us. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).
Just as Jehovah-shalom, The LORD is Peace, is the one who gives peace to the world, He is also the peacekeeper who stands guard at the gates of your heart and soul. He is the name you can call upon in the darkness. He is the one who bids you time and again to not be afraid for He is with you.
Also, remember learning in this study that the LORD is steadfast in His promises and never changes? His Peace is the same. Regardless of your circumstances, regardless of your inner demons, His Peace never alters and never falters. It is a constant. When you open your heart it comes rushing in. When you walk in His Spirit it takes up residence in your soul.
That peace which transcends all understanding and guards your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus can only be found in Jehovah-shalom, The LORD is Peace.
Times are especially tough right now with this Pandemic Virus threatening all worldwide, but most especially within our own communities and our own homes. Once again, as He has throughout Salvation History, The LORD may be sending this awful virus to all His people to bring us to our knees. Remember how Jehovah-rapha, The God Who Heals uses such things as plagues to heal His people of their disobedient ways? We are His people! Can any one of us say, as a whole, we have been heading in the right direction? Is the world growing closer to the LORD or running in the opposite direction?
So, if Jehovah-rapha, The God Who Heals, is orchestrating this pandemic, and we are being brought to our knees, we are likely to fall victim to the three peace robbers of anxiety, fear, and worry. If so, we are in desperate need of Jehovah-shalom, The LORD is Peace. Are we not??
Mental action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
Have the peace robbers stripped you bare?Does peace elude you? Can you name your biggest anxiety, fear, or worry. If you can then look back at the names of the LORD you have learned about so far. Is there one that speaks directly to your situation. If so, great! Call upon that name! But also call upon Jehovah-shalom, The LORD is Peace, and ask Him to fill you with His Peace.
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Further action if so inclined:
He reminds us often that we are in this world but not of this world.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Even if just for today, fill your heart and soul with the things He gives you. Thank Him and treasure them, for they are your link to all that is good and peaceful in this earthly life.
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