He is our Peace
Because of our sin we became enemies of God. When we accept the free gift of salvation that is offered to us in Christ, we are reconciled and have peace with God. Christ is our peace! (Ephesians 2:14).
In Him we are Complete and Whole
What wonderful news it is that God wants our life to be complete and full! Many of us can testify to this truth that without Christ, our life is incomplete and empty. When we enter into a relationship with the Father, our life comes together and He starts His restoration work to make us whole and well, in fact, He makes us into a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) altogether. The word of God says we are complete in Christ, (Col 2:10). One translation says:
We have been given full life in union with him... (Col 2:10 TEV)
God ‘s plan for us is that we live a complete and wholesome life, or life to the full. Jesus said clearly that He came that we may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (John 10:10 AMP)
Aren’t we glad that He did not say that He had come to start a new religion? This world has enough religions. Jesus came to give us life, and life more abundantly; complete and wholesome lives.
In Him we have Rest, Harmony, Safety
Another meaning of this word Shalom is rest, harmony, and safety. This is good news indeed especially during this present hour when the world is shaking and breaking to its limits.
David said in Psalms
I will both lie down in peace (shalom), and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Ps 4:8).
One of the names of God is YHWH Shalom (Judges 6:24), the reason why a whole lot of people live restless lives, full of worries is because they don’t know Jesus who is who is called the Prince of Peace (Shalom) ( Is 9:6)
Our Covenant of Prosperity
Another meaning of this word Shalom is prosperity. David says;
Let them shout for joy and be glad,
Who favor my righteous cause;
And let them say continually,
"Let the Lord be magnified,
Who has pleasure in the prosperity (shalom) of His servant." (Psalms 35:27)
Here the translators decided to use the word “prosperity”. Think about this for a moment. Our Father God delights in the prosperity of his children – you and I.
How different this is from what religion has taught us. For a long time, we have been taught that if we are really going to be well-pleasing in God’s eyes we have to live poor lives without owning anything. The word of Jesus, “go and sell everything that you own and give it to the poor” is too often taken out of context. Just like a natural parent, our heavenly Father wants his children to enjoy prosperity and wellbeing – do well in school, be successful at work, enjoy good relationships, be in good health, etc.
True prosperity that comes from God includes every aspect and areas of our lives; in our spirit, in our soul, health and financially. Money is not evil; it is the love of money that is the root of evil. A poor man can still love money. Money alone does not necessarily give true prosperity. We see examples of some of the richest people around yet they still live miserable lives.
Solomon said: The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it (Proverb 10:22)
and he also said: ...
The abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. (Ecclesiastes 5:12)
How often we have seen this - people that we consider prosperous are unable to sleep at night and having lives full of sorrow, pain, worry, anxiety, stress, ill-health family disharmony.
In the New Testament, John, the disciple of Jesus gives us God’s plan for every believer:
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (3 John 2.)
This prosperity that he talks about is a complete, wholesome prosperity. Spiritual prosperity and prosperity of the soul, health and even financial prosperity.
This is why we call this message the Gospel (good news, glad tidings). It is good news to an increasingly restless world that is looking for peace and something to believe in, something unshakeable. This new life starts when we enter into a relationship with the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ (Is 9:6). How comforting it is to read the word of God where He says,
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace (shalom) and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer 29:11)
God has given us His covenant of shalom and He will not go back on it
Isa 54:10 For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace (shalom) be removed,"
Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.
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