There are times in life when the things around us overwhelm us and we find ourselves struggling with anxiety. It is nothing unusual, in fact most of us struggle with anxiety; I know I do.
Sometimes it just feels irresponsible NOT to worry about things, about the family, about life, about EVERYTHING. It feels as though if we don’t stress or worry about these things then we are not being a responsible adult or parent, or husband or wife. It makes sense to worry, to be restless about the things we need to do, the money we need or make or the unfinished tasks still to perform. When I get anxious, I realise how restless I feel deep within my soul. Deep within my heart. Anxiety and worry is in fact the opposite of peace and rest.
And then it hit me – YHWH’s Word hit me. I have read the Priestly Blessing so many times and then today I read it again.
Numbers 6: 22- 25
And YHWH said to Moses,
23 Say to Aaron and his sons, This is the way you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them,
24 YHWH bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 YHWH make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favour) to you;
26 YHWH lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you PEACE (tranquillity of heart and life continually).
The word peace here is the Hebrew word that we know so well – shalom. We associate this word with the simple English translation peace. But what is peace? And what does that mean to you? And what does peace mean to God? When I think of peace I think of a bumper sticker I was given in primary school – it had the word peace written above a white dove holding an olive leaf in its mouth. Somehow the idea of peace is connected to a bird that is white with some vegetation in its mouth! But is that Gods idea of peace?
The word shalom in fact means to be safe, to be well, happy, at rest, to have good health, to have favour, to prosper, to be whole, to be complete, to have rest and to enjoy safety and to have a sense of rest inside. In all areas – body, mind, soul, heart – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
In fact, the judge Gideon built an altar to YHWH and called it YHWH- SHALOM (Judges 6:24) which means Yahweh is Peace.
Rav Shaul goes on to tell us in Philippians 4: 6 -7
“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7 And God’s peace [shall be yours – that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
I love the way that the Amplified version of the Bible states that the peace of God shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds! The word garrison means – that a military force is literally stationed at a specific place, town or fort in order to protect it and defend it. What is more interesting is that a garrison town comprises of a military station, military quarters and headquarters under the responsibility of a Major General, a colonel, or a Brigadier. This verse above tells us who that Major General is – it is Messiah Yeshua.
Looking back at the priestly blessing today, it hit me – Yahweh my God WANTS me to have PEACE. He desires my good, He desires that I am whole and safe and at rest within my being – He desires it! Therefore it is not irresponsible or crazy to lay my petitions and my worries before Him in prayer (Philippians 4) and to let Messiah Yeshua stand guard over my heart through a peace – shalom that only He can give.
God does not desire our destruction but our redemption and our wholeness; He wants to give me and you shalom. He wants to see us live – with shalom. Will you trust Him enough to handle things for you, so that you can live in His Shalom? I know I want to.
Shalom!
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