Experiencing “Yahweh Shalom” (The Lord is Peace)
- Ann Abbott
- Oct 8, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 16
Wars. Carnage of wars. Cancer. Death and loss. Financial ruin. Sorrow and deep grief. Stress. We are in a world that sometimes seems like it is going crazy, and nothing seems to “make sense”. In fact, “what is right is thought to be wrong”, and “what is wrong is thought to be right”, which now seems to be the cultural norm. Those who truly desire to follow the Lord, and walk in obedience to Him, can feel confused and uncertain about all that is happening. “Why, Lord?” might be the question that often creeps into your mind, even though you know He is in control! Sometimes, we won’t learn the answer to the “why?”, until we are with Him in heaven. Other times, it is a matter of time (or maybe even a ‘season’ of time) before we understand the ‘why’.
Gideon, in the Bible (see Judges 6:11 through to chap. 8:35) is a story of a man who considered himself the “weakest” amongst his clan/tribe, and the “least in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15 NKJV). Yet, he was the one God used to fight a fierce foe; showing that it was NOT his strength, but God’s strength, power and might that defeated the enemies of God’s people. Although Gideon knew this was God’s calling on his life, and not his own ambition, he had doubts and needed God to reassure him, by asking Him to prove it by the “putting out the fleece” for a sign (see Judges 6:36-40), which he did twice! God did as he asked!
Nothing about this story is “conventional” in how to pick a leader, or defeat an enemy nation. God’s ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8)
Have you ever felt like Gideon? When some circumstance is put upon you, some responsibility for which you do not feel equipped to do? I have! Times when the task itself was daunting enough, but then the “props” I was counting on to help me achieve the task were taken away, one by one. It took me to a “crisis of belief”, when I had to cry out, “Really, Lord?! What are You doing?” Sometimes our doubts threatened to destroy the faith and joy we have in God, when things don’t make sense. We may feel inadequate, unequipped, perhaps even “used up and empty” if our life’s challenges have been going on for a long time. Yet, the task is still there, needing to be done. These are the times in our lives that God uses, to show us personally what it means to know the profound truth: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV) More than once, God told Gideon, ‘do not fear, I will be with you’. (Judges 6: 16a, 23a)
This story and MANY others, give us hope and encouragement in those times we feel so inadequate, incapable of doing what the Lord may have us do. As the images at the top indicate, these ‘seasons of doubt’ are often filled with many emotions of fear, doubt, insecurity, inadequacy, etc. BUT…it is in these times we experience the mighty power of God working through us, in HIS strength. We KNOW it isn’t our strength and we can genuinely and wholeheartedly GIVE THE GLORY TO GOD!! And, it is always ok to pray, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)
Getting to know this God, the LORD of hosts (the same God that spoke to Gideon), is how we can learn to walk in faith and not by sight. We can persevere when in those seasons of doubt or fear, by growing in our knowledge of Him to be mighty, all-powerful, all-knowing. He is also a compassionate and merciful God, and shows us how to move out of those challenging seasons into the comfort and peace of His presence; knowing Him as our ‘Yahweh Shalom’.
Dear Lord, Help me in those times I doubt. “I believe, help my unbelief!” I know that in my weakness, You are strong, but sometimes it’s hard to be willing to walk that path. It’s hard not to feel the strength for tomorrow, but I know You want me to trust each day for that day’s strength! Thank you that I can openly and honestly come to You, with all my thoughts and doubts, and You promise to grant me wisdom. (James 1:5) Thank you that You are compassionate with me, when I need the assurance of Your presence with me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
