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competition, each asked to illustrate a comprehend that we have not only come
scene of peace. The runner-up painted a into eternal relationship with the God of
tranquil sea at sunset – a vision of serenity peace, but that the peace of God can rule
with still water and a gentle breeze, resem- in hearts amidst the perplexing sorrows of
bling a perfect end to a day. The winner, life (Col 3:15-16). How precious to know
however, presented a starkly different im- that Jehovah-Shalom is the same mighty
age – a dark, stormy sky and a turbulent storm-stiller who brought calm to the
ocean crashing against the rocks. Yet it was disciples amidst the fiercest of storms.
in this chaos that true peace was found. Beloved, take hope; one day every storm
Alone and nestled in the rock face was a of life’s journey will be perpetually stilled
bird on its nest. Protected in the rock from by His mighty hand.
the storm, it sat unruffled and undeterred, The Celebration of Jehovah-
eyes closed as the storm howled around.
The judges unanimously agreed that this Shalom
captured the essence of true peace. The desire for peace is universal and
As Christians, we also live in a wild and perhaps the most coveted possession in
storm-tossed scene, daily encountering the world. The hotbed of universal con-
the threefold enemy of Satan, the flesh flict since the book of Genesis has been
and the world. Conflict with sin rendered centred around the Promised Land, and
us powerless, burdened with a guilty con- for centuries political leaders have sought
science. But through faith in the mighty to create peace. Even as recently as Octo-
act of Jehovah-Shalom, He reconciled us ber 2025, President Donald Trump held a
to Himself, “having made peace through press conference declaring he had brought
the blood of his cross” (Col 1:20). If Gideon “everlasting peace” to the Middle East.
was only a faint foreshadowing of Christ, Ensuing events have demonstrated that
“how much more shall the blood of Christ, even temporary peace remains elusive.
who through the eternal Spirit offered According to Scripture, just prior to
himself without spot to God, purge your Daniel’s 70th week (the tribulation) the
conscience from dead works to serve the world will sadly imagine they have
living God?” (Heb 9:14). achieved this longed-for state. There will
Gideon only experienced “Jehovah- be a global declaration of “peace and
Shalom” in a limited way, but the Chris- safety,” only for “sudden destruction” to
tian can say, “Now may the God of peace come upon them, which “they shall not
who brought up our Lord Jesus from the escape” (1Th 5:3). So how will universal
dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, and eternal peace ever be celebrated?
through the blood of the everlasting “Jehovah-Shalom” is the answer!
covenant, make you complete in every “Shalom” means completeness, sound-
good work to do His will, working in ness, wholeness, contentment, prosperity
you what is well pleasing in His sight, – something this world searches for in
through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory vain. “Jehovah” reveals God as “I AM,”
forever and ever. Amen” (13:20-21 NKJV). the eternally self-existent, unsustained,
It was the knowledge of Jehovah-Shalom unchanging triune God. Therefore, put
that caused Gideon to build an altar and together, we comprehend that true and
worship. Surely, we likewise bow as we eternal peace in this world comes only
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