PEACE

Prince of Peace

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!”  Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT

God’s Peace.

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.  And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

God’s Peace is Shalom

Spending sometime with the LORD this morning, I told Him how I felt about life, which wasn’t all that positive.   I was just tired of life and I knew that was the wrong attitude especially at this time of the year.   I asked the Lord to clear and quiet my mind.   I then turned on some worship music and spent some time on my face, kneeling, sitting and standing.  At first I wasn’t sensing God’s presence but as I continued to sing to Him and seek Him I began to feel his presence and his Spirit came over me and I began to speak in tongues.   I don’t usually speak in tongues but it does happen from time to time.

The tongues were Hebrew, I believe because I kept saying “Shalom” a number of times and then I exploded into other powerful low guttural authoritative words.   (In a surprising thought, and tears in my eyes I said silently to myself, “That came from me?!” 

Don’t ask me what I said because I don’t know….  Would have been great to have some interpretation.

Afterward I felt completely empty of all the negative contents.  I felt like a crystal clear empty glass vessel.   I felt peace but I wondered if this kind of “empty” was a good thing?  Was I missing anything?  Is this one of the times my cup should be overflowing?  Did I spring a leak…. Were my cisterns drained as quickly as they were filled?  Was the devil trying to steal my peace by having me second-guess?

I searched my spiritual pockets.  I still had that unexplainable peace protecting my soul.  This was neW….

Knowing “shalom” meant “peace” I went to the Strong’s Hebrew concordance to see what else “Shalom” meant.

Shalom means:

1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace

a) completeness (in number) b) safety, soundness (in body) c) welfare, health, prosperity d) peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment e) peace, friendship

1) of human relationships 2) with God especially in covenant relationship f) peace (from war) g) peace (as adjective)

Wow! Shalom is quite a blessing of a statement.

I don’t know about you but when I think of peace I think of candles glowing in their glass containers and soft Christmas music playing in the background or a mountain cabin in snow blanketed woods with light smoke coming out of it’s chimney and soft light lighting up it’s windows…. maybe the smell of warm food being lovingly prepared inside too.   

I guess that’s kind of like what the Lord does for us….   He prepares a meal of peace in our heart and mind as we praise, worship, and have fellowship and companionship of with Him.   He bestows all these wonderful gifts of peace as we come and seek refuge from the cold of the world.  He warms and takes care of us so we can be warm lights to others.   Just think what would happen if we didn’t come to Jesus for all our cares in this life?   Thank you Jesus for your care and love for us.

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:14

Merry Christmas and may God’s peace be granted and given to you as you come and gather to him- the Prince of Peace.