Living Free - Dec. 28, 2012
Today's Scripture
And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means “the Lord is peace”). - Judges 6:24 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Shalom! If you were to walk the streets of Israel today, you would hear this word used frequently - to greet people, to bid people goodbye, as a greeting of peace.
But shalom means so much more. According to Strong's Concordance, a word study in the New King James version brings up "completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord."
The Lord is peace. In Him, we can find completeness … safety … rest … harmony … and so much more.
Consider this …
In today's world, we see the antithesis of these characteristics. We see a world torn apart by strife, sickness, war, danger, unrest, poverty, evil, turmoil, and discord. If we dwell on these things, they will overwhelm us.
Instead, let us focus on Jesus. On Yahweh-Shalom. He is peace … and only through Him can we find peace.
Lord, I thank you that even in today's world, I can find peace in you. Help me not to be overwhelmed by the constant bad reports of the world. Help me keep my eyes on you and be enveloped by your peace. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …Knowing God My Father: Applying the Names of God to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. This curriculum is designed to help people strengthen their relationship with their heavenly Father by applying His names to their personal life. Along with helping Christians know God better, it can serve as an evangelistic tool by giving a true picture of God to people who may have a distorted view of Him because of an absent or abusive earthly father who did not or does not provide for them. This group can also help men who want to be better fathers. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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