The Name: Jehovah Shalom
· Jehovah is the personal, intimate name of God
· Shalom is most often translated “Peace”, but also contains the idea of wholeness, complete contentment, satisfaction
· This peace comes from a wholeness in one’s relationship with God and that brings harmony with the rest of life (Isaiah 9:6)
The Story: Gideon Defeating the Midianites
· The book of Judges records a series of cycles the people of Israel follow
· Israel was oppressed by the nation of Midian for 7 years
· God chooses Gideon to lead His people in revolt to Midian
· Gideon meets Jehovah Shalom personally and it brings peace
· Gideon still struggled with fear as he grows in his knowledge and trust of Jehovah Shalom
· God specifically took Gideon to places of fear to reveal Himself as Jehovah Shalom
· God gives Gideon and Israel an incredible victory
The Takeaway: Peace with God leads to the peace of God
· True peace is only found in a personal relationship with God that is rooted in His grace (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:13-14a)
· Peace with God brings the peace of God as we live in our identity that we belong to Him
· The Lord will often push us to those points of fear in our life so that we can find Him faithful - He stretches us so we can experience Him as our Jehovah Shalom
· As we follow Jesus, no matter what we face in this life, we can experience Him as Jehovah Shalom (John 14:27, 16:33)