Shalom! Peace be with you…
“Shalom”, Hebrew for the word “peace”, means = safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace. The words, “whole, complete, fulfilled”, can also be used to describe “shalom”.
It isn’t a pill or narcotic to be taken when fear, worry, or pain is present. It is stronger than any shot of morphine, yet it doesn’t make a person loopy or dull their senses. It doesn’t mask or cover “life situations”, nor cause someone to lose their memory.
Peace does not remove one from storms, but rather keeps them from falling apart in the midst thereof. It gives a person the ability to remain “intact” even during the darkest hours of grief.
It cannot be found online, so put away the smartphone. It won’t be located in the aisles of “America’s Pharmacy”; no need to stop there. It can’t be found in a bottle, a magic lantern, a movie, a new car, changing jobs, a new spouse; only one place has it.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3 ESV)
“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 ESV)
“For He Himself is our peace…” (Ephesians 2:14 ESV)
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 ESV)
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13 ESV)
Peace, God’s peace, is for all who respond to His invitation.
Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Jesus, the One Who knows how to defeat any and every enemy of peace. He IS our peace…
May you experience His peace, and the life only Jesus can give. A simple prayer, a simple trust, is all it takes to get started. “Help me, Jesus…”, from a heart genuinely desirous of God’s peace, will get you going the right direction.
Peace, God’s peace, is for you.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26 ESV)
Please enjoy the words to this old hymn, as you put your trust in Jesus…
“Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace”
Words: Warren D. Cornell, 1889, alt. Music: W. George Cooper, 1889
Cornell and Cooper wrote this song at a Methodist camp meeting near West Bend, Wisconsin.
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Refrain
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Refrain
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Refrain
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!
Refrain
Jan Grace 