The Lord is Peace

Judges 6-7; Psalms 52; 1 Corinthians 14 

“…the Lord said to him, ‘Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.’ So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord is Peace…That same night the Lord said to him…’Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord…’”

Judges 6:23-26

This is the first revelation in the scriptures of Jehovah Shalom - the Lord is Peace. The “shalom” the Lord spoke to Gideon was found in God’s presence. Rather than fear, God’s peace strengthens us and gives us the courage to obey the mission-call of God. Gideon’s first assignment from the Lord was to tear down his family altar to Baal and the Asherah pole beside it. The strength of God’s peace in Gideon was stronger than fear of reprisal from his family and the town. God’s peace is not appeasement or a concession-based lowest common denominator negotiation; God’s peace is his presence in the battle and comes through full surrender to God’s authority.

Are we making our own peace and calling it the Lord’s?

Are we, too, compromising with idols and strongholds and in need of peace?

Will we obey Jehovah Shalom?

“Lord God, I will follow and obey you, for your glory.”