Jehovah Shalom: The Lord Who Calms the Storms of Life
Finding Peace in a World Gone Mad
We’re living in a world that’s increasingly chaotic. Uncertainty and pressure seem to be piling up on us from every direction. Bills are overdue, expectations are mounting, relationships are getting more complicated by the day and suddenly our hearts feel heavier than they should. It all adds up to a sense of unease that can be hard to shake.
But here’s something to hold onto: we serve a God who’s the very embodiment of peace.
In the bible, He’s called Jehovah Shalom, which literally means “The Lord is Peace”. This name was revealed to a guy named Gideon who was hiding in the middle of fear, doubt and uncertainty. His future looked bleak, but God met him just where he was – not with a lecture or a stern warning, but with a gentle reassurance.
“Don’t be afraid, Gideon” – peace – “you’re not going to die.” (Judges 6:23)
Gideon built an altar and called it Jehovah Shalom – as if to say, “I’ve got this: God’s got me!”
Peace in the Midst of Crazy
The thing is – God didn’t just miraculously remove the trouble. The enemies were still there, the pressure was still piling up. Yet Gideon had peace before the victory had even happened.
That tells me that peace isn’t some elusive state that only arrives when all our problems disappear – it’s actually the presence of God in the midst of all that chaos.
I know – the best of us are guilty of waiting for the perfect conditions to arrive before we can finally feel calm. “If I just have that job…” “If this relationship works out…” “If everything finally goes my way…”
But the truth is – God says, “You don’t need perfect conditions to have perfect peace.”
The Battle Within
For most of us, the greatest battles aren’t the ones we’re fighting with the world – they’re the ones we’re fighting with ourselves.
Anxiety.
Overthinking.
Fear of what’s to come.
Regret for the past.
On the outside, we might appear to be fine, but on the inside we’re wrestling with doubts and fears.
Even Jesus’ closest followers fell prey to this. In the middle of a raging storm (Mark 4), Jesus was peacefully dozing off in the boat while the waves crashed all around them. To them, it looked like He didn’t care. But when He woke up and calmed the storm, He also called them out on their fears.
“Why are you so afraid? Don’t you still have any faith left?”
The presence of Jesus in the boat was meant to bring them peace.
Receiving Peace – Not Creating It
Peace isn’t something we need to manufacture or strive to achieve – it’s something we can receive.
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to “stop worrying about a thing”, but instead, “with thanksgiving, pray about everything and tell God what you need. And as you ask, the peace of God that’s left all his worries in the past, will guard your heart and your mind”.
This kind of peace won’t necessarily make sense to us, nor will it necessarily match up with our circumstances. But it will be a shield that guards our hearts.
Finding Peace Every Day
Choosing to trust in God when things don’t add up, choosing to rest in His promises when fear starts creeping in – that’s a decision we can all make every day.
You can choose to trust in God even when life seems to be spiralling out of control.
A Final Word
However tough things might be for you right now, don’t lose sight of the fact that God is near. He sees you, He knows your worries – and most importantly – He offers you peace.
So today, take a deep breath and lay your burdens before Him.
Let go of your fears.
Let His presence bring peace to your heart.
Because Jehovah Shalom is with you.