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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Shalom

The Hebrew word shalom means "completeness, peace, ease" according to Strong's Dictionary.  In Psalm 29:11 we read:
The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.

This peace is shalom; it is completeness that is found only in God.  In the midst of storms and difficulties, the tendency is to doubt and waiver, despair and wonder if God is really there, if God is near.  Throughout Scripture we are told that our strength is from God.  In Nehemiah 8:10 we read "the joy of the Lord is your strength."  In God we find the peace, the ease our spirits seek.  Madeleine L'Engle's words point out that peace is not freedom from pain but quiet endurance.  Made in God's image, He desires to reside in each of us.  His Presence is our peace.  Shalom. ~dho

Peace is not placidity:  peace is
The power to endure the megatron of pain
With joy, the silent thunder of release,
The ordering of Love.  Peace is the atom's start,
The primal image:
God within the heart.  ~Madeleine L'Engle