THE LORD OUR PEACE

Knowing and believing in God’s character as revealed in his names provides great protection against enemy attack. God declared through Hosea, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). The implication here is powerful. God is telling us that having an intimate knowledge of his nature and character, as revealed through his names, is a powerful shield against Satan’s lies.

This brings us to another of our Lord’s names: Jehovah Shalom. We find this name mentioned in the book of Judges. Here, the Lord revealed himself to Gideon in the form of an angel (see Judges 6:22–24). What does this name, Jehovah Shalom, mean exactly? As a noun, the Hebrew word shalom means “completeness, health, welfare.” It implies being whole, in harmony with God and man, having wholesome relationships. It also indicates a state of being at ease—not restless, having peace both inwardly and outwardly, being at rest both spiritually and emotionally. In short, shalom signifies wholeness in a life or work. And as a verb, shalom means to be completed or finished, or to make peace.

Once more, I’m driven to ask, “What does this particular name of God have to do with me and with the church today?”

Shalom cannot be earned. We’ll never receive the Lord’s shalom until we realize, “This is serious business. This is God almighty I’m dealing with, creator and sustainer of the universe. How can I continue taking him for granted? Why do I still test his grace, living with this lust as if he is deaf and blind to my secret acts?” Do you tremble at God’s Word? Are you ready to obey everything it says? If so, you’ll receive the revelation of Jehovah Shalom. He’ll come to you personally as “the Lord, your peace,” filling your spirit with supernatural strength against every enemy. You can’t earn this kind of peace; it’s a gift from God.