Devotionals for July 21, 2023

See you on Sunday at 9:00 and 10:30am!

Jehovah Shalom, God of Peace. Shalom is rich in meaning. Sure, it can be used as a greeting, but it also paints the picture of wholeness. Something as it should be. Something untorn, unbroken. Imagine a flawless vase in a state of shalom. But something violent comes along and shatters it, breaking its wholeness. It takes intentional mending and healing to fix it. Likewise, though the body of Jesus was torn for our transgressions, we were made whole by His stripes. He reconciled us back to God, mending the relationship, and restoring it into a state of true shalom. So, when Paul says Jesus is our “peace,” it’s more than a tranquil feeling. It’s the total healing and reconciliation back to God the Father, Jehovah Shalom.

Jehovah Shalom, God of Peace. Shalom is rich in meaning. Sure, it can be used as a greeting, but it also paints the picture of wholeness. Something as it should be. Something untorn, unbroken. Imagine a flawless vase in a state of shalom. But something violent comes along and shatters it, breaking its wholeness. It takes intentional mending and healing to fix it. Likewise, though the body of Jesus was torn for our transgressions, we were made whole by His stripes. He reconciled us back to God, mending the relationship, and restoring it into a state of true shalom. So, when Paul says Jesus is our “peace,” it’s more than a tranquil feeling. It’s the total healing and reconciliation back to God the Father, Jehovah Shalom.

Q: How did Jesus make peace between the Jews and Gentiles and reconcile both groups to God?

Q: How can you call people to the Gospel of Christ rather than to your culture?

Q: How can you humble yourself today and share the good news of Jesus with someone vastly different from you?

"And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."

Father, lead us to Shalom. Help us to seek healing and restoration between each other and with you. Thank you for calling us to be ambassadors of the Gospel. Help us to spread a pleasing aroma to the world around us with the sweet smell of the Gospel. Keep us from the evil of discrimination and hatred. Lord, you have called all to know you through the work of your Son, Jesus. Amen.