Jehovah Shalom
The Lord is My Peace
Read Judges 6
The period of the judges in the Old Testament was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. When God would raise up a new judge
Israel would follow Him, but when that judge would die they would fall back into their old ways of serving foreign Gods. As a
matter of fact this sin—salvation—sin cycle happens seven times throughout the book of Judges. The story of Gideon is just one
remarkable story out of seven, but it is in this narrative that we are given a new characteristic and promise of God.
Judges chapter 5 tells us that Israel lived in rest for forty years under the leadership of Deborah, but once again they fell
into sin after her death. In this instance God allowed the Midianites to come and raid the land of Israel. The Midianites would
destroy all of their crops, livestock, and everything else that would contribute to their livelihood. It was during this time that
the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and told him that he would single-handedly defeat the Midianites.
Gideon was so frightened at the sight of the Angel of the Lord that he knew he was as good as dead, but the Angel said, "Peace be
with you; do not fear, you shall not die." With that comfort Gideon built an altar and called the place "Jehovah Shalom: The Lord is my Peace".
If I could sum up Gideon in two words it would be frightened and wimpy. After all when the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon
he was threshing wheat in his father's winepress so the Midianites would not find it. Even after the revelation of Jehovah
Shalom, Gideon was instructed to tear down his father's Baal idol, but Gideon waited until dark so no one would see him do it. This
guy lived in fear every day. How ironic that the Lord chose Gideon to reveal Himself has the God of Peace.
This tells me that God will always meet you where you are, but it also tells me that God's ways are not our ways. 1 Corinthians 1:27 tells
us that God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to
shame the things which are mighty;...that no flesh should glory in His presence. I don't know why God chose Gideon. It doesn't make sense
to my human logic. I don't know why God would choose a scrawny, smelly kid like David to be a King. I don't know why God would send His
only Son to be the sacrifice for my sin. All I know is that His ways are far higher than mine.
God wants to give you peace in your situation. You may feel more turmoil in your life right now than ever before, but God wants to reveal
Himself to you as Jehovah Shalom. You may be frightened and worried about the state of the economy. You live from day to day wondering
if you or your spouse is going to get laid off from your job. But God wants to give you His peace.
This peace can only truly come to those who are willing to look upon the face of God. Gideon did not receive the peace of the Lord until
He saw God face to face. The same concept applies to us, and the only way that we can come face to face with God is in worship.
Continue >>>
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.