“Jehovah Shalom”
He is the Lord our Peace! How reassuring to know and experience the presence of His peace. A few weeks ago, we posted a small message on “patience,” and the working of it in our lives. After the festivities of this season have passed, the analysis of this great virtue operating smoothly in my own life has proven to come up a bit short. Isn't this, like all other areas of Christian character, a venue in which we must rely upon the grace of the Redeemer to work the necessary improvements designed by Him for His purpose?
The account of the past few days has once again proven true to the Word of the Lord. We certainly devise our plans, but it is the Lord Who directs our path. (ref. Prov. 16:9) You may feel that you've formulated all the best plans, being careful to dot the “i” and cross all the “t”. However, your plans may, in fact, become laced at any moment with the uncalculated circumstances of life. It is often in these moments that the extent of the development of His character in the life of the believer will reveal itself most.
It may be Christmas Eve in the wee hours of the morning. Your crock pots may be full of early morning plans for preparing a feast for 20 people. Your eight granddaughters may be preparing to spend a few days with you after this feast. But, your husband may writhe in pain in these wee hours of this morning with an acute attack of diverticulitis. (a flare up he hasn't had for 2 years now). What are the odds that this would occur at such a time? Likely, a part of providence. Surely there is an enemy among us wreaking all the havoc he can muster. Yet, regardless of authorship, there's no denying, we have an issue. It didn't go away all at once. Do we go to the ER, or do we wait?
We waited and prayed. Full morning daylight did shine after a very sleepless night for us. My husband improved and ate lightly. He is much improved now, and even better in some sense than before the attack came. However, patience and anxiety were at odds during this time. But, Jehovah Shalom, our peace was always the same. Peace is there, and faithful. We must rest in the provision of this peace.
Praise belongs to the Lord our deliverer! It is He Who never leaves nor forsakes us. When the well-made plans fail to come to fruition, trust the all sufficient One with the direction of your steps. Though we often may falter, He is always faithful.
Glory to the God of our Peace, Jehovah Shalom,
Blessings,
Julie
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