In multiple hot spots of the world, you can find regions known as demilitarized zones. These are sort of no-man’s-lands between opposing nations or armies.
Though you won’t likely experience whizzing bullets in such places, you will sense a great tension. The armies aren’t fighting, yet there’s no deep sense of peace. Why? Because true peace—what the Bible calls shalom—is much more than just the “absence from strife.”
Shalom isn’t merely the absence of conflict; it’s also the presence of fullness and joy, friendship and love. In truth, shalom is life as God meant for it to be.
During a dark time in Israel’s history, Gideon was able to lead his people in defeating the enemy Midianites. After experiencing victory, Gideon felt great peace.
It was an earthly and physical peace that comes from no longer being threatened and attacked. And it was an inner and spiritual peace that comes from knowing God had called, strengthened, and delivered him. He was so thankful that he built an altar and called it “The LORD Is Peace.”
How peaceful are you today? Maybe you live in a safe neighborhood where you don’t fear for your life. Or perhaps you have enough assets and income to not worry about your financial future.
Those are wonderful blessings, but there’s a whole other level of peace that God makes available to us. We can have peace with God through Jesus Christ.
By faith we can go from being unforgiven enemies of God (Romans 5:10) to being God’s beloved children (John 1:12). It’s only when we enter into this peace with God that we begin to experience the peace of God (Philippians 4:7).
A popular bumper sticker sums it up well: “Know Jesus, know peace. No Jesus, no peace.” Do you know Him?
Ask Jehovah-Shalom to give you His peace, and He will give you a person, Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
How and when have you experienced God’s peace in your life in ways you didn’t expect?
