“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Number 6:24-26)

Aaron’s priestly prayer is God’s directive for a blessing upon the people of God. The aim of the blessing was for the people of God to experience God’s favor and experience “shalom,” the Hebrew word which we translate as peace. What does it mean for us to experience peace? One of the names of God is Jehovah-Shalom, the God of Peace. Gideon used this name as he built an altar to God, following God’s call for him to lead the people of Israel after their rebellion. They cried out to God because they had received His judgment through the people of Midian. Here was a man who had been called of God in the midst of a national crisis to lead them from distress to peace, God’s peace, and again experience shalom.

Now the question is this, what do we mean by peace? The dictionary defines peace as “a state of tranquility or quiet, freedom from civil disturbance, freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions, or harmony in personal relations.” Depending on what is happening in our lives, peace is defined in different ways. When we are worried about our finances, peace means financial security. When there is excessive noise coming at us from many places and it is just loud, peace is quiet. When there is hostility and anger, peace calms. However, the Hebrew definition of shalom is peace, meaning soundness, healthy, complete, safety, tranquility, wholeness, and contentment. Instead of peace being a break time, there is a sense of permanence in the peace of shalom.

The only place that we can find any sense of permanence is in God Himself, Jehovah-Shalom. Thus, Isaiah would say, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) Jesus would give us this sense of permanence when He says, “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.” (John 14:27) This was in the context of giving us the Holy Spirit, who will be with us forever. (John 14:16) Here also, is Paul’s challenge to pray, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) And in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul would say, “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) This was all about their continuing relationship with God. This relationship is permanent. Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20) God’s revelation to John of what is to come, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)

Every day, no matter what happens, turn to God and allow Him to be for you Jehovah-Shalom, because He has personally come to you through Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh.

In the love of Jesus,

Michael Block