Hello, child of God! I pray today you are experiencing Yeshua's perfect shalom. If you, like I once did, have no idea what this means, let's dive a little deeper!
Shalom is a Hebrew word, which in its most simplest state means "peace". In the English language, it seems simple, but there is so much more to this word. Here is the best definition I have found thus far: "The true meaning is a wholeness of your entire being - spirit, soul, and body. It means to have a sense of completeness & soundness. Essentially, Shalom encompasses your prosperity, health, and total well-being." - Joseph Prince Excerpt from Destined To Reign Devotional
You see, Jesus says to His disciples in John 14:27 TLV “Shalom I leave you, My shalom I give to you; but not as the world gives! Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid." In other versions it uses "peace" in place of "shalom". One of my favorite things about walking with the Lord is all of His hidden mysteries, and with them, He never leaves us in the dark. It is so fun, because as we dig deeper into His word, it is rich with deep meanings and beautiful truths. For instance, this one: peace from God is not just feeling "okay" in your mind, life, spirit, etc. It is Shalom, a completeness in your being, total health and well being, and as a child of God, this is your inheritance!
This brings up another hidden truth! In John 14:27, the Hebrew word Jesus is using for "leave" is not what it seems in the English language. Actually, it means something closer to "bequeath" which is a word used in reference to a child inheriting an estate from a dying parent.
You see, our inheritance from Christ is not a peace that world would ever understand, sometimes even we as believers may not understand it. We may not even be walking in it. Sometimes it takes walking in a season of uncertainties to come to a deeper understanding of this, and to build our character. For me, this has been the way the Lord has taught me about His shalom.
Lately I have been walking through something that is simply out of my control. I cannot change or force my will on the situation, I can only trust the Lord for His perfect will to be the outcome. In this, there has been a great shift in my walk in this season. As the fears and anxieties the enemy hurls at me hit my mind with intrusive thoughts I simply give it right to the Lord and say, "Lord, I trust you." and by doing this I have received an unshakeable peace- a knowing that it's going to be okay. There is no fear that is overwhelming me, no thought causing me to ponder the "what if's" and nothing that I am trying to do by my own strength to fix or change the outcome. I am simply resting in my Father and trusting that He alone controls the situations in my life when I give Him the room to have His way. There is such freedom in this, to be honest. The rest I am receiving is heaven sent and I am blessed by it, truly.
I say all of this to boast in Christ, not myself. He is the One who is giving me this "shalom" and the ability to rest and trust in Him. That is who He is. I pray this week the Lord ministers to you in receiving His shalom and you begin to walk in it fully as He desires.
One last thing! Did you know the Israelites used (then and now) "shalom" as a greeting and departing expression? A precious hello and goodbye, that speaks life over the receiver of it! I have always loved that, and thought it was something you'd like to know too.
Be sure to join us this week for our newest podcast episode where we will discuss shalom & the peace of God even deeper! Find us on YouTube and everywhere podcasts are streamed!
Thank you for reading, friends. Shalom!
- Chelsie