This week as I meditated on Psalm 34 I found a verse that spoke to me in a new way. I am certain I had read this verse many times before, but the Holy Spirit drew back the curtain and shed fresh light on it.
Psalm 34: 14 says, “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.” (NKJV) As I studied that verse I focused on the last part about peace. The Hebrew word used for peace in this verse is ‘shalowm’ or ‘salom’. Many of you will recognize this as the word “shalom” that Jewish people use in greeting one another. It means completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, tranquility. Goodness gracious, wouldn’t we like some completeness and tranquility in our lives???? Our lives, and the world in general, are in such need of peace that I fear the majority of people wouldn’t recognize peace if it crawled all over them.
We are instructed in Psalm 122:6 to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and that is something I do regularly and something I encourage you to make a habit of doing. But we are also told in Psalm 34 to seek peace and pursue. This tells me that peace is not something that will just fall into our laps. We must be intentional in our pursuit of peace, making decisions that are aimed at procuring peace. In doing this, I believe that we must base our decision- making on the principles set out in God’s Word because ultimately peace comes from God.
According to Isaiah 9: 6 one of the names that would be given to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, would be Prince of Peace. That same verse goes on to tell us that Christ would sustain and increase the peace that He gives us. So, I believe it is reasonable to extrapolate that the only place we will find true peace, peace that lasts through the good and the bad will be in Christ.
The Zodhiates Key Word Study Bible, Old Testament Lexical Aids elaborates further on the definition of the Hebrew word ‘shalowm’ or ‘salom’. It says, “Though ‘salom’ can mean the absence of strife, it usually signifies much more. It essentially denotes a satisfied condition, a state of peacefulness, a sense of well being, both externally and internally. To wish one ‘salom’ implies a blessing, but to withhold it implies a curse.” To greet another person with the word “Shalom” is very appropriate because when we do, we are blessing that person as we say “Peace to you.”
Finally, let’s look at what Jesus said about seeking peace in Matthew 5: 9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Jesus reminds us according, once again, to the Zodhiates Key Word Study Bible, New Testament Lexical Aids that “those who live a life whose tenor and effect are characterized by peace and not aggression, militancy, hostility, assertiveness, antagonism, stridency, or combativeness are blessed.” When we live our life so as to promote peace, we are giving evidence that we are a direct descendant of God the Father and His Son, Jesus and we will be blessed.
When I am squarely in the center of God’s will for my life, I experience Christ’s peace. I want my life to so exude the peace and love of Christ Jesus that it is contagious to those with whom I come in contact. What about you?
