The Blessing of Shalom
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:9c-11, NIV
“God is a God of power whose word can wreak havoc in heaven and earth. He is also a God who cares enough for His people to provide them with a share of His strength and bless them with His peace.”
-Stephen J. Lennox, on Psalm 29 (emphasis mine)
Shalom is an amazing blessing, in part because it is imparted in grace. God doesn’t owe us a peaceful relationship with Himself. We are rebels who would justly receive wrath and forever separation from our Creator. An all-powerful God could simply speak the word and make it so. But, in love and grace, He speaks an altogether different word, the Word made flesh. And in His coming into the world, the love of God is expressed to us- the Babe born in Bethlehem would die on Calvary, a rebel’s death. Then and only then could rebels be welcomed in peace. We are foolish to let the enormity of this slip from view. God hasn’t brokered peace with humanity because He must or should or as publicity stunt. He doesn’t have to rescue us. He certainly doesn’t care if His actions meet with approval ratings. And it is precisely this otherness- His holiness- so boldly on display in Psalm 29 that should make the cry of “Glory!” ring anew from our hearts. He blesses His people with peace. Shalom is a gift from the hand of the gracious God who, in giving us His Son, has given us all we need for completeness of life.
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21, NIV
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a great song to enjoy while you think on these things! For those who love the “rest of the story” here is a glimpse into how the lyrics for the song were born. Enjoy!
For WEDnesday discussion:
Wonder is a concept often lost on us but so vital to the right worship of God. What are ways you’ve found to feed your sense of awe at God’s otherness? What competes most with keeping God big and you small in your day to day life?
Shalom is deeper than the emotion of peace. It is the completeness of life that comes from a perfect relationship with our Creator. What spiritual disciplines have you found to feed the depth of your connection to God?
How do you keep the craziness of life from pulling you away from your connection to God?
How do you remind yourself that God’s blessings are gifts of grace?
What has been helpful to you in avoiding the trap of trying to earn or be deserving of God’s blessings?