Peace

I could go on and on about names of God. But, I will end with this one. Jehovah Shalom, The Lord my Peace.

God allowed the Midianites to oppress Israel because they had rebelled against him. The people were relegated to living in mountain caves and strongholds. Every times they planted crops, the peoples of the region came in and ravaged the land. They killed their livestock.

The people cried out to God. He heard and responded.

Gideon was hiding in a wine press threshing wheat. The angel of the Lord appeared to him. He told Gideon God was going to use him to save Israel from the Midianites. Gideon was not convinced the angel had chosen the right man! He asked for a sign.

The angel of God had Gideon cook a goat and make bread. When Gideon brought them to the angel of God, he was told to place the meat and bread on a rock and pour the broth over it. When he did, the angel of God touched the meat and bread with his staff. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and bread. Then the angel of God disappeared.

To say Gideon was frightened is putting it mildly. He feared he would die because he had seen the angel of the Lord face to face. The Lord assures Gideon he will not die.

Gideon faced many fears that day; the Midianites, how to provide food for his family, wondering if he would live after seeing the angel of the Lord. When the Lord assured him he would not die, he built and altar and called it Jehovah Shalom, the Lord My Peace.

We are living in tumultuous times. Just like with Gideon, there is much to make us fear. Only God can fill our hearts with peace in such situations.

What are the fears you are living with? Give your fears to God. Let him fill your heart with his peace. Not the world's peace. It doesn't work! The peace of God can sustain us in even the most difficult of circumstances. What a wonderful God!

Thankful for a peace that transcends my situation, Gloria