Shalom

Daily Reading: Judges 6

Scripture Focus: Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace. (Judges 6.24)

Devotional Thought: Judges 5, shared the story of the unlikely heroes - Barak, Deborah, and Jael. Today's scripture tells the story of another one: Gideon. When the enemy was plundering God's people, the angel of the Lord came to Gideon and called him a mighty warrior. Gideon thought he was mocking him. After all, he was hiding in a winepress trying to eke out a living for his impoverished family.

But, something changed in the heart of this quiet, fearful, self-doubting man. God came on the scene! Gideon became convinced in his heart that God would use such a one as he. After that encounter, Gideon knew God by a new name: The Lord is Peace, or "Jehovah Shalom."

Shalom means so much more than simply the absence of trouble and conflict. The Hebrew word conveys a sense of "completeness, soundness, welfare, and peace."

As you read this chapter, you will discover what Gideon discovered...

• In the midst of turmoil, the Lord is peace.

• In the midst of suffering, the Lord is peace.

• In the midst of fear, the Lord is peace.

• In the midst of doubt, the Lord is peace.

• In the midst of a great challenge, the Lord is peace.

• In the midst of idolatry, the Lord is peace.

• In the midst of uncertainty, the Lord is peace.

Shalom!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for giving me your peace. The scripture says you will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is stayed on you (Isaiah 26.3). Lord, I fix my mind upon you just now and walk in your peace. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 52.1-9

1 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day. 2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. 3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah 4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.

5 But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah 6 The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, 7 “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!”

8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. 9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.