Peace of Mind

Jehovah Shalom: Peace of Mind

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

 

               The world is full of troubles that can cause a person to be at a constant state of anxiety. If you turn on the local or world news, you will see and hear stories of death, anger, tears, lies, and greed. You will hear of children dying in the streets, terrorists’ bombings, nations making threats of war, and the economy showing signs of financial ruin. Sin is running all throughout the world and the ungodliness that is taking place can cause many to be distressed if seeds of worry are allowed to fester. The uncertainties of bills, family, jobs, school, and other factors in life can also contribute to individuals having elevated blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, and even depression. Unfortunately, worries are often at the top of the list for many, while is at Jehovah Shalom is at the bottom – when in fact, if that list was in reverse, worry would not be as prevalent in their lives.  Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (NIV)

 

 

               The Bible lets us know that when our mind is constantly on God, worry will be non-existent. Faith will kick in and though things around may seem unsteady, trust in Jehovah Shalom will help us to have peace in the storm. A person cannot worry and have faith in God at the same time. One will cancel out the other. Jehovah Shalom offers us peace by helping us to utilize our faith in Him. James 1:6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (NIV) This means that we must not have doubt where one minute we are trusting Jehovah Shalom to handle life’s situations and the next we are doubting that He will. We must totally submit our anxieties to Him.

 

 

               The Prophet Daniel displayed a great amount of peace when confronted with a situation. During the reign of King Darius, Daniel was shown favor as he had been shown with King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel had been placed as one of the administrators to rule throughout the kingdom under King Darius. Daniel pleased King Darius so much that the king planned to set him over the entire kingdom. The other administrators were jealous however, and sought to find a way to have his reputation ruined, but they were unable to do so. They finally came to the conclusion that because Daniel was such an upright man, the only way they could find fault with him would be through his God. Daniel 6:5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” (NIV) Therefore, they came up with what they thought to be a brilliant plot to get rid of their competition.

 

 

               The administrators went to the king and deceived him into thinking that they wished to honor him for thirty days when in fact, it was a plot to entrap Daniel. They knew that Daniel was faithful to the one and only true God and that he would not worship any other gods. Therefore, they tricked the king into signing a decree that no one was to pray to any gods or man for thirty days other than himself. Once the king stamped it with his official seal, there was no one, including the king himself, who could undo it. Daniel 6:8-9 “Now, of king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered – in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing. (NIV) The evil men’s plan against Daniel was underway and all they had to do was to watch and see if their plot would be successful.

               Despite hearing about the new law, Daniel did not change course. He did not bow down to the ungodly law. He did not become fearful and pray in secret to avoid being seen by others. He continued to open his windows and pray to the God of Heaven. Jehovah Shalom was his God of peace even while wicked men were plotting his demise. Daniel trusted in Jehovah Shalom and his ability to rescue him from the plot of his enemies. Daniel 6:11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. (NIV) The wicked men saw that Daniel was not going to turn away from his God regardless of the consequences. Therefore, went right away to the king to tell him about Daniel’s disregard for the law. Daniel 6:12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “the decree stands – in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” (NIV)

               The men proceeded to tell the king that Daniel had dared to defy his order and that the punishment had to be given in accordance to the king’s order. King Darius was greatly distressed about the whole situation, but he followed through with the order and Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel 6:16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (NIV) The king by this time knew what the wicked men had done, but he followed through with the order and hoped that Daniel’s God would rescue him from the lions’ mouths. Daniel knew that he had done what was right in the sight of Jehovah Shalom. Therefore, only the peace of Jehovah Shalom was able to comfort him in such a dire situation.

               The king was very distressed and did not eat or sleep at the thought of Daniel being thrown in the lions’ den. At the break of dawn, he hurried to the den to see if Daniel was still alive. To his amazement, Daniel responded to the king’s question of concern to let him know that he indeed was alive and had been rescued from the mouths of the lions. Daniel 6:21-22 Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.” (NIV) At hearing Daniel’s voice, the king was overjoyed and had Daniel taken out of the lions’ den. Daniel had to trust in the peace of Jehovah Shalom to take care of him and deliver him from the hungry lions.

         The wicked men, however, were not so fortunate. They and their families were thrown into the lions’ den and eaten before they even reached the floor. Jehovah Shalom gives us peace even in the darkest of nights. All we have to do is trust in Him to fulfill His promises.