A carpet of bluebells flanks the western slope of Eagle’s Peak and the music of the forest soothes me with its unusual cadence. I pause mid-stride and close my eyes. Absorb the chattering of squirrels, the trill of western meadowlarks, and the almost imperceptible hum of honeybees. A shallow brook gurgles with joy as it tumbles over the rough mountain face, and I breathe in the moment. It seems I have captured a glimpse of peace east of Eden–that elusive concept promised in scripture.

What Does Peace Mean?

Throughout scripture, the names of the Lord describe His character. One of those names is Yahweh-Shalom–The Lord Our Peace (Judges 6:24)–and Jesus receives the title as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace, entails far more than physical safety. Used both as a salutation and when parting, shalom infers relational peace with God, others, and self. The Lord Our Peace gave Himself in human form as the Prince of Peace that we might be reconciled through the cross and attain eternal shalom—wholeness of relationship—with the Father.

To convey the same meaning as shalom, the New Testament writers used eirene throughout the New Testament. One beautiful definition tells us that eirene means “to join or bind together that which has been separated”.

Peace, then, exists in our Creator and Savior. Yahweh-Shalom, the life-giving Lord, ushers completeness into our lives through the power of Christ’s sacrifice. That which was separated by sin is irrevocably bound by the Prince of Peace.

Yahweh-Shalom, the life-giving Lord, ushers completeness into our lives through the power of Christ’s sacrifice. #peace #peaceinjesus Click To Tweet

Biblical Ways to Grow in Shalom

• Pray, Ask, Give Thanks. Philippians 4:6-7 (CJB) reads, “Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.”

This lovely Jewish translation speaks of union. When we give the Lord our burdens and align our minds with the truth of scripture through prayer, our wills begin to orient according to His.

• Be filled with the Spirit. “Having one’s mind controlled by the old nature is death, but having one’s mind controlled by the Spirit is life and shalom.” (Romans 8:6 CJB) We recognize the old nature as sins of the flesh (Ephesians 4:22-32). The laying down of self each day—and sometimes moment by moment—invites the Holy Spirit to His rightful position of headship in our lives. Unlike a world that promotes self-actualization, we surrender life to realize it.

• Bring peace. Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) reads, “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God”.  Strong’s concordance reveals that a peacemaker, which is a cognate of eirene, “bravely declares God’s terms which makes someone whole”. How many in our world long for the message of Peace?  And are we willing to share the truth in order that those who do not yet know Him can step into restoration and shalom? Eirene?

A Prayer That Invites Peace

Jesus,

I praise you that as God incarnate you are the Ruler of Peace. Yahweh-Shalom, you are wholeness, life, and peace eternal. Even when the noise in my life overwhelms your gentle whisper, I can seek shelter in your care for “you are my keeper” (Psalm 121:5). Nothing surprises you, Lord. Thank you for breaching the gap and binding my heart to yours. Today, I kneel before the altar and ask you to give me a “mind controlled by the Spirit” for this is “life and shalom”. (Romans 8:6)

Peace and grace,

Tammy

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