Philippians 4:7 talks about a peace from God that doesn’t always make sense, one that guards our hearts and minds even in chaos.
Have you ever experienced that kind of peace, where everything around you said “panic,” but something in your spirit said “trust”? I’d love to hear how it showed up for you… or if you’re still hoping to find it.
Quite a while ago my life fell apart when my wife suddenly was hospitalised.
One day she was eunning the home, looking after two school aged children, the next in hospital.
Panic, fear, !!!!!!
I chose in fear and tears to trust God.
The panic subsided, the fear stopped being all consuming to a manageable level.
The church family stepped up with support for the children.
Hospital visits, talks with doctors and fears subsided some more and after a while she came home.
Peace was there, the knowledge that God was in control, I had to deliberately choose to trust God and he kept his promise, moment by moment I had the strength to face each moment.
It wasn't easy, but Christianity is not easy, there is no promise that we will have it easy.
Yes, a few times I have felt His peace. Once was at a Anne Graham Lotz event where thousands of women were in attendance. It’s difficult to explain that peace. It covers you and yet is inside you. There’s no sense of hurry or worry or anything other than being in that moment and perfectly at ease. It was present during all of the event, but when we all had to file out when it was over, you could see it. Thousands of women leaving at the same time would normally include some hurry or impatience, but there was no hurry and there was no impatience.
The other time that comes to mind I’ve already spoken on. In that situation I was in a state of anxiety, and in desperation I followed the conditional promise of Philippians 4:6-7. I went from a heightened state bordering a panic attack to one of complete peace. He is always true to His word.
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Yes, I have experienced this kind of peace, and I think it often does come when we least expect it, in situations that are anything but peaceful. I often find that God uses very practical things to usher in this peace. For example, in the midst of a scary situation where I had to stay calm and figure out what to do, God used the calming voice of my favorite baseball radio announcer to ground me and help my nervous system calm down enough to take the next steps. I love that the Spirit can use something as earthy and "un-spiritual) as the radio or a baseball game to bring us peace when we most need it.
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The peace of the world is simple compliance and appeasement (go along get along)
The peace of Christ transcends circumstances.
Psa_118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Shalom in the Bible
The below Scriptures are from the Hebrew Names Version as well as the Complete Jewish Bible.
Shalom I leave with you. My shalom I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. - John 14:27
You will keep [him] in perfect shalom, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on you]; because he trusts in you. - Isaiah 26:3
The God of shalom brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Yeshua, by the blood of an eternal covenant. - Hebrews 13:20
Seek the shalom of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in the shalom of it shall you have shalom. - Jeremiah 29:7
Now may the Lord of shalom himself give you shalom always in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
And God, the source of shalom, will soon crush the Adversary under your feet. The grace of our Lord Yeshua be with you. - Romans 16:20
There is no shalom, says my God, for the wicked. - Isaiah 57:21
The Loss of Shalom
In the beginning, all creation was in a state of shalom, and this is the environment that Adam and Eve entered into. In this perfect shalom was a perfect peace, where the infinite creator of all things was in complete communion with his created beings Adam and Eve. Yet sin destroyed that shalom, and cast the world into a place of brokenness. The fallen world we live in, with its violence, heartache, pain, and death are very visible results of the shalom that was lost so very long ago. Yet, there is good news in the gospel. For through Christ, that shalom has been restored as God is again making all things new to his glory.
A Hope for Future Shalom
In the Old Testament, prophecies point towards a future restoration of shalom. There are reminders that the peace of this world is not the shalom peace that God offers. The peace that God gives is referenced in Numbers 6:23-26, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace (shalom)’”.
In Jeremiah 6:14, the prophet Jeremiah speaks out against those who would falsely claim shalom: “they dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace”. They say there is shalom when there is no shalom. They act as if all is okay when, really, all is not okay.
Yet, in the midst of this broken lack of shalom, a wonderful promise is given, and prophetic words of hope emerge through this messianic prophecy that we generally remember at Christmastime, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Shalom. Of the increase of his government and shalom there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
Isaiah’s prophecy of a future messiah continues in chapter 53, verses 4-5, “he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us shalom was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed”.
In these words, humanity is given a hope of a messiah. Those living in a tumultuous, hopeless time were given hope that there will someday be one who will re-establish our perfect shalom with God.
The Restoration of Shalom
In John 14:27, Jesus was nearing the end of his earthly ministry and prepared the disciples for what lay ahead, knowing that it would not be easy or comfortable. As he comforted and prepared them, he said this, “Shalom I leave with you; my shalom 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”. Shalom, true shalom, will be a restoration of the peace that existed in the beginning and will be the peace that we experience in the New Jerusalem, the New City of Peace.
After the crucifixion, the disciples of Jesus were experiencing anything but shalom. They were not at peace, but were in fear, confusion, and were lacking in purpose of what they were to do next. It is in the midst of this that Jesus appears to them, and once again, speaks shalom over them and their fears in John 20:19: “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace (shalom) be with you!”. What an encouragement that the first thing Jesus speaks over his bewildered disciples is a proclamation of peace, a reassurance of his promised shalom.
A Reminder of Shalom
Paul reminds us in Romans 5:1-2 that Christ has covered our sins and restored us to a place of shalom with God: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace (shalom) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God”.
Again, in Philippians 4:4-7 he writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace (shalom) of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Through the work of Christ, the shalom that was lost in the garden has been restored and is again available to us today. Simply hearing the greeting shalom is a reminder of the deep human longing for peace, for a true peace that is greater than all understanding.
May shalom reign, rule and castle in our hearts and minds.
J.
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