Shalom

How many of you are familiar with this word ‘Shalom’. Those who do know it consider it to mean ‘peace’. Yes, that is one of its meanings. However it is one of those beautiful words in Hebrew which cannot be translated into a single word in English, but has a series of meanings: Hello, goodbye, security, completion, soundness of mind, well -being, wholeness, health, nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing lacking. How wonderful to have just one word to describe so many wonderful benefits. In Jeremiah 29 v 11 God uses the word Shalom which is usually translated ‘prosper’.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Isn’t that a beautiful promise?

God knows every time we are going through a bad patch in health, finances, business, relationships. While we are in the world we come into situations that are common to man. In 1 Corinthians 10 v 13 Paul tells us ‘No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted more than you can bear, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape’ NJKV.I believe this also related to trials. So, God won’t let us suffer any more than we can deal with through Him. And when we are suffering trials we go back to His promise in Jeremiah and believe that because He knows the plans He has for each and every one of us He will ensure that these plans will only do us good and provide Shalom. He assures us of His Shalom in every situation, but it is down to us to trust Him, believe in Him and know that He will watch over us and protect us in every situation and provide a way out of every situation because of the great love that He has for us.

However, we do have to play our part. When these things happen to us we have to remember to ‘pray then He will listen. Look for Him in earnest, Then we will find Him if we seek him’ v 12 and 13 of Jeremiah 29.

When we pray to our Father we need to ask Him for Shalom peace remembering that this one request provided by God will give us all we need and desire.

: Terry Walmsley :