Awake at 3 a.m. Thoughts rolled around in my mind, conversations that should have happened. I felt a huge loss. My stomach in knots, my heart twisting and turning about a decision that had been made for me. I had no say in the matter. I felt so alone in the inky blackness of the night, but I called out to God, “Lord, I don’t understand this at all, but I trust you. I submit to you and ask you for peace.” Soon, I fell into a deep sleep. Waking up a few hours later, I knew Jehovah-Shalom, the God of peace, had taken over my mind. Instead of thinking in broken sentences, I now sang for joy. The battle was won. I was confident, purposeful. He had chosen me for a greater work.
Jehovah-Shalom is the name of God that means I am the Lord your Peace. God called Gideon “mighty warrior” during the time the Midianites attacked the Israelites. It was there God revealed Himself to Gideon in a new way by revealing the name Jehovah Shalom. Through the peace he had received, he was able to find strength to lead his armies to victory.
“Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it ‘The Lord is Peace.’” —Judges 6:23–24
The Hebrew phrase translated “The Lord is Peace” is translated Jehovah-Shalom and occurs only once in the Old Testament. Shalom is a “harmony of relationship or a reconciliation passed upon the completion of a transaction, the payment of a debt, giving satisfaction.” The Lord is a God of peace even in the midst of overwhelming odds. Jehovah-Shalom offers peace in every situation.
When you feel like Gideon, that God has abandoned you, it helps to remind ourselves He will be our peace. But He wants us to ask for it. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful,” says John 14:27). “Perfect peace comes to those who trust in God,” says Isaiah 26:3. “Jesus is our peace,” says Ephesians 2:14.
Jehovah-Shalom is the name of God that means: I Am the Lord your Peace. Judges 6:24 says, “Gideon built and altar to the Lord there and named it, ‘The Lord is Peace.’” Jehovah-Shalom gives peace in every situation but especially in those times when we feel lost, overlooked, weak, and inadequate. He keeps us in perfect peace when our minds are fixed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). And that’s the tough part: We must choose what we think about. Like Joyce Meyer says, “Say NO to stinkin’ thinkin’!” Allow the peace of God rule in your heart, mind, and soul.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you that Jesus is my peace. When I have anxiety and fear I can pray Philippians 4:6–7, “Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this you will experience God’s peace.” Thank you for reconciling me to you, Lord, for peace of mind, divine favor. Thank you that, like Gideon, you say to me, “The Lord is with you, Mighty Warrior.” In Jesus’ name, amen.
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