Dec 24, 2017
In the OT, the Hebrew word shalom carried with it the idea of completeness or wholeness within a person’s life. This word also conveyed a sense of harmony between people or God Himself. Many times, shalom came through making a covenant between people or with God so they could co-exist (Num. 25:12; Isa. 54:10). In the NT, people are to obtain peace (Gr. eirēnē, ‘bring to oneness, prosperity, rest’) through the God-man, Jesus, and submitting to His will for their lives (Acts 10:36). Being at peace doesn’t mean a believer won’t have moments of anxiety, but it means that there is a Person to take it to (1 Pet. 5:7). Anxiety with no solution leads to depression and despair, but the presence of Jesus in the heart and other believers leads to peace that passes all understanding (John 16:33; Phil. 4:6, 7). The greatest peace comes from our great God (Luke 2:13-33)!