THE NAMES OF GOD----JEHOVAH SHALOM

THE NAMES OF GOD

JEHOVAH SHALOM

   It seems that everything I study to share with you on this blog is so timely.  This is no different.  We had suspended our study of the Names of God but I have been able to study a bit more about His wonderful Names.  I was surely blessed by this Name.  I pray you will be, too.

   This Name is only found in one place in the Holy Bible:   Judges 6: 12 - 24.  This is the story about Gideon.  Oh, this story has to be my favorite story in the Old Testament.  There is young Gideon, trying to hide from the Midianites while he tries to separate the chaff from the wheat in a winepress.  He and his family were hungry.  the Midianites had destroyed their farms and taken their livestock.  The Israelites were being conquered by the same people their God had promised to give victory over.  Why was that? 

  The answer is that we often find ourselves in difficult situations when we worship other gods.  "But we go to church on Sunday."  The truth is that not everyone in this country who is able,  attends church regularly.  Of those who do, only 3 - 7 % of them trust God in their finances(in tithes).  We have chosen worldliness to Godliness.  We are no longer set apart from the current culture.  We have forsaken our "First Love" without even thinking about it.  We worship money, prestige, fame, comfort, relationships, ourselves, anything that supersedes God's demands and His dictates.

   While the news media tell us we have a political problem, a racial problem, a drug problem, etc. 

photo courtesy of 2 cool 2 b true

I tell you we have a spiritual problem resulting from our departure from God!  Gideon asked the Angel of God (paraphrased), "If God is for us, where is He?  If He is going to take care of us, why has_____________ happened?  He has surely abandoned us!"  

   God's response was this (again paraphrased):  "I have heard your cries for help.  You have acknowledged your sin.  So, Gideon, I send you to take victory over the Midianites (any of your problems) and I will be with you."  After Gideon realized he really had been talking with the Angel of The Lord, he said,  Alas, O Lord God!  For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face."  But God said, "Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die."  Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it "The LORD is Peace (Jehovah Shalom).

   There is a commercial on the television about a home warranty where a lady is at her kitchen sink and the faucet pops off and water gushes out all over her kitchen.  The lady says she is having a great day.  She is not concerned because she believes her warranty will cover the repairs.  Let me ask you:  don't you want to rest assured that God will carry you through every trial and tribulation you face and give you victory?  That is peace!  No anxiety, no worry, no sleepless nights, just peace!  When you are obedient to Him, that is just what you receive in return!  He is big enough to slay your dragons, for sure.

   Peace means "wholeness, completeness, or well-being".  It is "harmony and balance".  Being at peace means that even though the world is upside down, you are at rest in your soul.  Here are some verses to help:

   "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage:  I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33)

   "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul."  (Matthew 11: 28, 29)

   Like Gideon, the way to possess peace is to understand that God is with us.  Know His Word.  Drink it in like cool water to a parched throat.  Make time for our Holy Father.  Stand firmly in faith.  Lean on Him.  Stop worshiping the worldly gods.  Return to your First Love (God).

   If you don't have a relationship with the Creator of Everything, you can change that by clicking here:  https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.

   As always, please pray for God to use our efforts to bring understanding to those who are earnestly seeking Him.  We would love to hear from you, so please leave us a comment.  We know you are with us, but it is special when we read your comments.  Please indicate if you do not want them published.

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