Psalm 34 Peace

 

The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. Shalom is one of those words that is wonderfully deep with meaning, a word translated often as peace, but a peace that is filled with wholeness and health, especially in right relationships with each other. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but is flourishing of who you are, for both yourself and the community. Peace is about a lack of anxiety and worry, and for followers of Jesus, this comes from trust in God and a healthy relationship with God marked by obedience, worship, and praise. When someone from a Jewish background greets you with "Shalom" they are offering you a blessing for health and wholeness that is centered in God.

A lot of things can take away our sense of peace: for some people, a spider takes away their sense of peace, for others it might be traffic or politics. Those in the presence of suffering for long periods of time can lose a sense of peace, stress is a peace killer, and today there’s FOMO: fear of missing out that prevents many from having peace. Anger poisons peace. Life can be hard for many reasons and can make it hard to experience peace.

Psalm 34 leads us to peace even though the actual word "peace" or "shalom" is only mentioned in verse 14 where we’re called to seek peace and pursue it. It’s about healthy relationships with God and others. Psalm 34 hi-lights how God’s people experience peace. In verse 4 we read, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” God knows how easily we become afraid, even when we don’t admit our fear to ourselves.

There’s a lot going on around us that can create fear, young people often find it hard to find decent paying jobs, many who have jobs are not always certain they’ve be able to keep them in this economic climate, education is becoming more expensive, and there’s the pandemic. There’s those who have health issues, relationship issues, emotional and mental health struggles and it can feel like there is fear around every corner. Fear prevents us from experiencing peace, so David calls us to seek the Lord and he will deliver us from all our fears.

In verse 9, we’re told to “Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” It sounds a little ironic to be told to fear the Lord right after being told that the Lord delivers us from our fears, yet it’s good to fear the Lord. Think about who God is, creator of the universe, creator of life, King of kings, Lord of lords, more powerful than any other being in the universe, more powerful than Satan, our great enemy. We should be afraid of God, but it is a fear that is also shaped by awe and wonder, by trust and love. Because God is great, because of who he is we can have peace because everything is under his control; there’s nothing and no one more powerful than our God.

In verse 10, we are reminded that when “we seek the Lord, we lack no good thing.” God provides for his people. David trusts that when God’s people need his help, that God will be there for his people. In verses 15-22, David reminds us that God is actively listening to us, paying attention to us, and is close to us. Verse 19 says, “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all,” and then in an echo to Jesus’ crucifixion, “he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.” We will face trouble, but we can experience peace in our hearts and souls, knowing that God sees and gives us what we need to make it through. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us to “seek the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us.” Jesus is talking about all our physical and spiritual needs.

Peace is about the state of your soul and spirit. You can be in conflict or trouble and still experience peace because you're centered on Jesus. Peace models grace, humility, forgiveness, and working hard at determining God's will in the situation. Peace isn’t something you wait for, God wants you engaged in life, but doing life his way and God says he will fill you with his peace. This is the sense of what Jesus is talking about in John 14, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Jesus is telling the disciples that he's giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit so they'll be equipped to continue his work when he leaves, but with the peace of knowing that they’re not alone and God is with them, protecting and guiding them.

Jesus offers us peace. This peace is the ability to experience calmness when things are crazy bad around you, it’s about experiencing hope and knowing we don’t have to worry because God is working out all things for our good, even if the things don’t feel good. It’s knowing that God is consistent, not changing his mind about who he created us to be, he’s the calm cove in a storm, the rock that never crumbles. Peace is a gift, and like any gift, we can accept it or reject it. David tells us in verse 14, to turn from evil and do good. You grow in maturity when you allow the Holy Spirit's guidance to shape your actions, guiding you not only in what you believe, but also in how you live your lives. Doing good things brings peace, something I’ve often experienced. It means you’ve taken your eyes off yourself and are thinking of others.

Many of those who cannot find peace find it difficult to trust God, forgive others because they feel God is not fair. People struggle with worry and fear because they want life to go their way instead of trusting God, others allow anger to simmer inside, while others are unable to forgive. When stuff like this sits inside your heart, it poisons your spirit and soul, making it hard to seek or experience peace or pursue because ultimately, you've decided that Jesus is not strong enough or loving enough.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace of Isaiah 9, willing to fill you with his peace, but at some point, you need to say, "God, I now give you my heart and soul and allow you complete control of not only my life, but of my heart, mind, and feelings. I trust you that you know best for me and that in doing this I will find your peace." Jesus offers you peace; peace with God, peace within your own soul, peace with others as Jesus' peace soaks deep into your heart, soul and mind to shape you more into his image. It’s hard to do this on your own, mentors, mature Christian friends who live out peace in their lives, your pastor, all are people to turn to and ask to invest in you and help you grow Jesus’ peace in your life. It won’t always be easy because it will likely call you to change how you see God and yourself.

This doesn't mean that every relationship will work out, or that you won’t struggle at times. It doesn't mean there will be no more tears or even anger, but it does mean that because of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, God's Spirit is with you reminding you that God loves you, forgives you, and who accepts you as you are, but loves you too much to allow you to stay just like you are. Our peace does not come without sacrifice. Our peace with God comes through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. To experience peace, become a living sacrifice to God, giving him your whole life and trusting that who he is calling you to be through Scripture. Submit yourself completely to Jesus. Peace flows out of the worship found in the opening verses of this psalm; we’re saved from our fears because we know God. Look for the beauty around you, let it help you experience God’s presence. Music, a creek tumbling down its bed, a mountain scene on a bright sunny day, children playing, a mother or father hugging their child, couples in love, a beautiful poem that stirs your soul all help connect us to God’s presence.

Grab your Bible and immerse yourself in the stories of God's relationship with humanity, join with others to praise God and hold nothing back, and develop a prayer life that’s more about listening to God and praising him than about your requests. Read and listen to God's acts of love and commitment, hear his promises to never abandon and leave, open your heart to the presence of the Holy Spirit, allow it to soak into your soul, and peace will begin to soak into your soul. You will discover joy in life and greater shalom in your relationship with Jesus and others.