Peace on EarthSample

Today let us look at this announcement that the angels made: “Peace on earth and on whom His favor rests”

What is peace or Shalom?

The word “peace” is most commonly used to describe the absence of conflict or war.

The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom, and the Greek word is Eirene. In the Bible, shalom means a delightful state of well-being and wholeness. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.

Shalom, when used as a verb means to be “complete or whole,” peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare, and tranquillity. It can refer to a rock that is shalom, i.e., with no cracks or gaps in it. It could refer to a brick wall that is well-made with no gaps in it. You would say the wall is shalom.

Today it has been reduced to a greeting. This Shalom also comes from the presence of a person – the Prince of Peace. In Isaiah 9, there are many names given to Jesus, and one of them is the Prince of Peace. These are not literal names of Jesus but rather descriptions of His nature and the essence of His character. We are promised that Jesus will bring us peace in ever-increasing measure. Shalom is what a King is supposed to help bring about his kingdom, and it rarely happens. That is why Isaiah talks about the Prince of Shalom.

In life, when things are not right, we do not have shalom. When we put things right in terms of our priorities, values, relationship with God, and relationship with one another, we are said to have shalom. I can remember the times when I had unresolved conflict in a relationship and could not fully enjoy Shalom. Shalom, therefore, is multi-dimensional. But let us look at the starting point of having shalom. We cannot have shalom until we know the Prince of Shalom.

REFLECTIONS

Let us stop to examine – is there a lack of shalom in any area of your life? What can you do to bring back the Shalom of God in your life?