Shalom

Divine Inspirations | by Dee Davis

Scripture Focus:

“May the LORD bless you and protect you.

May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.

May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.”

— Numbers 6:24–26 (NLT)

For the last few days, one word has been resting heavily on my heart:

Shalom.

We often think of peace as the absence of trouble.

No conflict. No bad news. No family problems. No uncertainty. We imagine that if everything around us would finally settle down, then perhaps we could have peace.

But biblical peace is much deeper than a trouble-free life.

The Hebrew word shalom carries the idea of peace, wholeness, completeness, well-being, safety and soundness. It paints a picture of life being brought into proper order—first in our relationship with God, then within ourselves, and in how we live with others.

And perhaps that is why this word has been lingering with me.

Because there are women who love God, pray, serve and encourage everybody else, yet if they were completely honest, would have to admit:

“I don’t have peace.”

There is turmoil underneath the smile. Their minds rarely rest. Their hearts carry unresolved hurt. Fear about tomorrow keeps interrupting today.

They know how to keep functioning.

But functioning is not the same as flourishing.

And surviving is not the same as shalom.

God Wants to Give You Peace

Listen again to the final words of the blessing in Numbers 6:

“May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.”

Give you His peace.

Peace does not begin with us.

We don’t have to manufacture it, pretend ourselves into it, or wait until every difficult circumstance disappears before we can experience it.

Peace is something God gives.

Jesus said:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.”

— John 14:27 (NLT)

The world’s peace says, “Everything is going well, so I am okay.”

God’s peace says, “Everything may not be okay, but God is with me—and because He is with me, I can be okay in the middle of it.”

That is shalom.

Stop Postponing Your Peace

Some of us have unknowingly postponed our peace.

I’ll have peace when this situation changes.

I’ll have peace when my family gets together.

I’ll have peace when I know what comes next.

But if peace requires everything around us to cooperate, our peace will always be vulnerable.

Peace is not rooted in the absence of trouble; it is rooted in the presence of God.

Psalm 46:10 says:

“Be still, and know that I am God!”

God does not say, “Be still because everything has been fixed.”

He calls us to stillness because He is still God.

Sometimes peace comes not because God changed what was happening around us, but because His presence changed what was happening within us.

Pursue What God Gives

Scripture also tells us:

“Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”

— Psalm 34:14 (NLT)

Peace is God’s gift, but we are also called to pursue it.

That may mean establishing a boundary, extending forgiveness, having a necessary conversation, seeking help, surrendering unhealthy thought patterns, or refusing to continually participate in things that disturb what God is restoring within you.

Pursuing peace does not mean avoiding everything difficult.

Sometimes peace requires courage.

But the God who calls us toward peace is the same God who walks with us into it.

Shalom Is Possible

Perhaps you haven’t felt truly peaceful in a long time.

Maybe you are tired of thinking, worrying, carrying everybody, anticipating what could go wrong, and appearing peaceful while fighting battles within.

Beloved, hear me:

Peace is still obtainable.

Not a peace that requires you to deny what hurts.

Not a fragile peace that disappears whenever something goes wrong.

I’m talking about the peace Jesus gives.

Peace that can sit beside unanswered questions.

Peace that can breathe in an uncertain tomorrow.

Peace that can remain while God is still working.

You can have true peace.

Not because everything is awesome.

But because God is present.

Shalom is not the reward for finally getting your life together.

Shalom is the gift of a God who comes near.

So come closer.

Let His presence quiet you.

Let His Word steady you.

Let His love reassure you.

Let Him begin restoring what has been disturbed within you.

Because peace is possible.

Wholeness is possible.

Shalom is possible.

Not because life will always be peaceful—

but because the Prince of Peace is with you.

A Prayer for Shalom

Father, thank You that Your peace is greater than the circumstances surrounding me. Bring Your shalom into every fragmented place within me. Quiet my mind and steady my heart.

Show me what I need to release, what I need to address, and where I need to trust You more deeply. Teach me to pursue peace and to recognize that I do not have to wait until everything is resolved to receive what You freely give.

May Your presence become more real to me than the trouble around me.

May You bless me and protect me.

May Your face smile upon me and be gracious to me.

May You show me Your favor…

and give me Your peace.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Stay encouraged and be blessed.