Word For You is no longer available in print or digital format although the archive of previous readings will remain available on this page for some time yet. If you'd like to continue with Word For You, you can listen to each day's devotional on the UCB Player app.
What’s in a name? (4)
The name Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord our peace, was discovered by Gideon when God told him to lead Israel against the Midianites – a position he felt was far beyond what he could do. He said to God: ‘How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest…and I am the least in my family’ (v.15 NIV). Here’s how God responded: ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites…Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.’ Even though Gideon was frightened he believed God and before the battle was even fought or the victory won, he had peace. So he built an altar to God and called it ‘the Lord is peace’ (have a read of Judges 6:24). We often assume we’ll only have peace when our situation changes. But, like Gideon, we can learn that inward peace doesn’t depend on altering our outward circumstances; it depends on believing God is with us and experiencing His inner peace. Jesus promises: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (John 14:27 NIV). We can go to God with all our fears and problems, and He’ll give us peace. ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV). However inadequate we may feel, we can remember Jesus’ words: ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace…take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 NIV). So let’s ‘take heart,’ and trust Jehovah-Shalom to handle the rest.
What Now?
Tell God all the problems you’re facing right now, and ask for His peace to fill you and calm you.
The UCB Word For You
Read More