Weather report from heaven: Sunny and bright with an abundance of light, and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture- “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33
Insight: One of the things that I find very helpful in my faith walk is to look back at the Ancient names that the Jewish people had for God and apply it to my current situation. This reminds me that God has many different attributes and characteristics that are meant to provide the help we need in our life journey for exactly what we need, when we exactly need it. God is bigger than our wildest imaginations. He is Omniscient ( All Knowing ) Omnipotent ( All Powerful ) and Omni-Present. ( Everywhere at once ) He cannot be, nor should He be, shrunk down to our life size box we try to fit Him into so we can better understand Him. However, He does want us to know Him and His ways in a most personable manner.
Tonight we will consider the name Yahweh-Shalom. Yahweh-Shalomi means“The Lord is peace.” Whenever there are storms in your life, hide in Him. He is your shelter in the storm. He gives peace beyond understanding, even when circumstances are chaotic. He is our shelter and our shield. Let’s face it, it can be hard to find peace in the crazy and chaotic world in which we live. There are so many factors outside of our control that are currently swirling around that make peace seem very elusive in our lives. From a global pandemic, to financial hardships, to political discord and divisiveness, to a relentless and never ceasing media constantly bombarding our senses with many false narratives, it can be hard to even get a breath. That is why we must know where to turn to find a peace that supasses all of our ability to understand.
That peace is found in the name of Yahweh- Shalom. Jesus Christ is not subject to the winds of change. He is “the same yesterday, today and forever” according to Hebrews 13:8. He is the harbor in the tempest, a safe shelter for us to go and to be calmed and feel secure and safe in a stormy world. Jesus’s peace is different from the world’s peace. It is eternal in nature, secure and immovable. It is not fickle, not vulnerable to opinion polls and not circumstantial. It is a solid rock upon which we can stand even when the waves are crashing all around us. John 14:27 puts it this way “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.” When your life feels very scary and unsettled, call on the name of Yahweh- Shalom. He is there to meet you and provide the peace you have been looking for, a peace that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:7 gives us this great promise: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”Prayer: God we thank You that you are Yahweh- Shalomi and that You provide peace to us when there is nowhere else in the world to find it. We should always run to You, for your peace is solid and secure and greater than our biggest fears. We pray in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen!
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