As I was thinking about shalom this morning, I was reminded of the troubles of the Israelites. The Israelites’ journey from Abraham to the Exodus was filled with ups and downs. It was a story of a people from its inception through prosperity, slavery, and deliverance. It was a telling of God’s love and abiding with his chosen people. It was also a fulfillment of a covenant with one man, Abraham. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses gives an account of the Exodus, the trials, struggles, victories, and promises that the Israelites experienced. One thing to note, though, is that God never promises “peace,” at least not as how we see “peace.”
The Israelites still faced trials. They still faced temptations. They even encountered battles. They had to face giants and take the land that God promised them. But the key element is all of these things is that Yahweh Shalom was with them. They had the confidence that they would and could overcome because they had GOD on their side. And as long as they worshipped God alone, he stayed with them.
If you read the book of Joshua, you will see a passing of leadership from Moses to Joshua and the promise of the people to follow the commands that Joshua gives. The people are reminded again that if you continue to follow God, you will win in battle. They are in the process of taking the land that God has for them, the land that God promised them. He never said that the land would be uninhabited or that they would be handed the “keys to the city” on arrival. It was theirs for the taking; all they had to do was step out in faith, trust God, and follow his commands, and the victory would be theirs.
A funny thing about the Israelites is that they often got caught up in what others were doing and shifted their focus from God to self-interests and other idols. And THAT is when turmoil sets in.
Shalom was no longer apparent. Things did not go their way, and the enemies started having the victory. When they repented and turned back to God, then they were reconciled to God, and the peace that only God could give would return.
Remember, our God is El Kanna (jealous God). He is jealous FOR the worship we give. He wants us FOR him.
Joshua says in chapter 24:25, “Choose this day who you will serve; as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
When we are devoted to God, our El Kanna, we experience His peace, His Shalom. He is our Yahweh Shalom. When we are in Him, we have His gift of peace. Just like the Israelites, we will face trials, struggles, and battles, but when Yahweh Shalom is with us, we have peace despite the junk around us.
What stands out to me with the Israelites is that the peace was never tied to the quietness or events of their lives. It was about walking with God. When they were focused on God, they had peace, confidence, and courage. When they wandered away from God, they lost all of those things.
The battles of our lives are the same. When we are focused on God, the mess doesn’t seem as messy or as burdensome; when we focus on the mess, we get overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed.
Follow Joshua’s invitation: “Choose this day whom you will serve.”
Will you choose to be devoted to El Kanna and rest in the peace of Yahweh Shalom?
Shalom is not found in perfection but in the presence of Yahweh.
Have a great day with Jesus!
