There is a lot of references to the Lord's peace or the Shalom of the Lord in the bible. Like many words or phrases in the bible, I've read them, heard them, quoted them, even applauded when others referenced them, etc., but never really studied the meaning behind the word--or the relevancy. That was of course, until my study of the epistle of James. As I have moved from reading the bible, to actually spending time in prayer, meditating and thinking on the words of the scripture, and studying the original context, to gain the Lord's understanding in the message--the Holy Spirit has revealed more of the Lord's truth and promises to me. It's amazing honestly, to think, we can read a passage, study it, spend time thinking about it and praying for the Lord's wisdom, and slowly, you hear this whisper in your heart, in the world around you and in people, and start to gain spiritual understanding. It's really something amazing.
I have spent the past two full months, between October and today, studying the book/epistle of James. In my study I have written 2 daily bible studies (which are FREE downloads) and I'm wrapping up the conclusion to the Week 3 study of chapter 3, and like the Lord, He has brought me to a place to gain empirical understanding of the messages in James. Oh yes, not book knowledge understanding by fire. I've faced trials and setbacks, obstacles and roadblocks, and once again, I am standing in a place where I can only depend on Him and TRUST Him and His words to be true to get me through another season. I am presently powerless over circumstances in my life--money, career, relationships--hardships and things, that in the past, would have broken me--if not brought out the ugly side of Bobby in my emotions and lack of control. When we can't control the circumstances of our future, nor understand why we face difficult times, we often resort to fear and anxiety. My habit and pattern has been to run tot the world for help and ask 1,000 people for a lifeline. Instead, in this new season, I've put the Word to the test, so to speak, and I've opted to stand on my faith and Trust the Lord--and in my solitary prayer time (of which started as 2-3 minutes per day in the beginning and has since moved to an hour), the Lord has begun to fill my heart with His Shalom--his peace.
What is peace? What is Shalom? It's toted as the absence of war--in the worldly sense of the word--but my understanding is growing beyond that today. The biblical interpretation is "completeness" and "to restore." For me, at this moment, those speak to a calming sense of contentment, in the midst of my trials and tests--to be content and still, knowing, the Lord IS bringing me to a place of completeness, or oneness with Him, and in that, restoring my spirit back to the original source--Him. That has been my experience of peace--not focusing on the multitude of problems that would destroy me with anxiety--not worshipping the problems of my life by talking about them all day, to everyone, but; instead, focusing on Him, and in it--a Shalom I can't explain, has overtaken me. I can only say boldly: this place is so much better than handling the world's problems on my own.
So in essence, the Shalom of the Lord--the peace of the Lord that passes all (human/worldly) understanding is a contentment, a balance, and a place where I am not torn in the war of my soul and mind--stressing over the uncertainty's of the world and future--but instead standing, knowing, I don't know how, or when, but I know--Jesus, the Lord will provide at the right time. Oh, how sweet it is.
I pray you humble yourselves, on your knees today, offering all your fears and concerns to Him; I pray you open your heart and plead with the Lord for his peace--for His Shalom--to restore you back to Him, to be complete in Him, and gain the balance that comes with saying--yeah, "though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."
God bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment