Prepare the Way for Peace
“I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people.”
Many of us are looking back on 2023 as we prepare for 2024. My word for 2023 has been “whole.” When I chose the word, it reflected my desire not to be fragmented or broken but to be complete, to live out the fullness of my calling and the things God purposed me for, trusting that God will provide and care for me. Luke 12:24 was my Scripture for the year: “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable are you than birds!” I believed I didn’t have to strive for God’s provision; I just had to trust Him for it.
When I choose a word for the year, it goes everywhere. I make it the wallpaper on my cell phone and my computer. And it appears on my annual vision board. Also on my 2023 vision board was “inner peace and freedom,” which supported this vision of being whole.
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. It is a state of well-being or health. It can be translated as wholeness. In the Old Testament, shalom expresses profound wholeness and well-being. It especially designates a state of prosperity or good health. I didn’t realize it then, but my word for the year reflected my deep yearning for peace!
What I find so beautiful is that our God speaks peace over us!
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying,
for he speaks peace to his faithful people.
But let them not return to their foolish ways.
Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
so our land will be filled with his glory.
Unfailing love and truth have met together.
Righteousness and peace have kissed!
Truth springs up from the earth,
and righteousness smiles down from heaven.
Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings.
Our land will yield its bountiful harvest.
Righteousness goes as a herald before him,
preparing the way for his steps.
– Psalm 85:8-13 NLT
Like the Psalmist, we must listen carefully to what God is saying. He speaks peace to His faithful people but also says we can’t return to our foolish ways! Nonetheless, He speaks shalom. He speaks wholeness. He speaks well-being, prosperity, and good health to His faithful people.
We see how God is doing this: righteousness and peace have kissed, truth springs up, righteousness smiles down. The Lord pours His blessing, and the land gives forth a bountiful harvest, a state of prosperity. Righteousness goes before Him, preparing the way.
I know many people may not feel like blessings are being poured down at the moment. But that doesn’t change the fact that God speaks peace to His faithful people. Would you let Him speak peace to you as you enter 2024? Would you continually prepare the way for and of Jesus in your life?
Prayer Starter
Father, You have been so faithful to us. We receive the shalom that You speak over Your children. We thank you for the Holy Spirit, the God of Peace, that indwells us, helping us to prepare the way in our hearts, producing abundant fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. May we be steadfast in the way of Jesus as we move throughout the new year. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Dig Deeper
Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (NIV).
2 Peter 3:14, “And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight” (NLT).
Reflection
How can we live lives of shalom, lives marked by profound wholeness and well-being? What does wholeness look like for you? For your family? For our community? How do we live lives that are pure and blameless in his sight?
