God is Peace

Completeness. Soundness. Quietness. Rest. Welfare.

All are words to define peace. Many people put “peace” toward the top of their wants in life—maybe five minutes of quiet without toddlers running up and down the halls, a boss who isn’t an overbearing jerk, enough money to live off of—essentially all the ducks in a row.

The funny thing is, life never works that way.

You find a man who has no form of chaos/ problems/ challenges in life, and that man is most likely six feet under with a nice stone on top.

But does the presence of problems or challenges mean we can’t live in peace?

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

-John 14:27

Gideon was a man living in an occupied territory, as the shadow of the Midianites descended upon the once-shining light of the promised land. They ruled Israel with a barbaric fist and a policy of total war. 

Midian burned their crops. They slaughtered their livestock. They kept Israel in economic ruin and poverty in order to maintain power and control.

Many Israelis fled the cities and villages for dens and caves in the mountains.

And in this state of totalitarian fear and national unrest, we meet Gideon in Judges 6. As he is trying to hide precious food from the invaders in a wine press, an Angel of the Lord comes to him declaring a message of hope, deliverance, and—peace.

“‘Then the Lord said to him, ‘Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.’ So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace.” -Judges 6:23-24

Gideon declares his God is Jehovah Shalom (The-Lord-Is-Peace) in the midst of the chaos. In his present reality, the Midianites were not vanquished. Israel was not victorious. But nonetheless, Gideon declares Jehovah Shalom.

Why?

“Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”

Gideon had the presence of God with Him. His peace didn’t come from life being perfect, but by being connected to the perfect One, the Vine that supplies the answer, solution, and breakthrough for anything.

God echoed the same reassuring words to Joshua, and Jesus said the same to his disciples—do not be afraid, for I am with you.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

-Philippians 4:6-7

It is the presence of God which silences the enemies of peace—fear, anxiety, and unrest. Because when Dad is with you, you don’t have a care.

He’s the hand steadying you as you learn to ride a bike. He’s the arms waiting to catch you when you jump into the pool. And He’s the hand that will pull you up if you stumble while walking on water.

When Dad is looking after you, you don’t need to understand how everything will work out. Peace comes from knowing He loves you and He’s got this.