Have you ever lacked clarity in an area of your life or felt that you were immersed in a cloud of confusion? For quite some time, I knew I had too much on my plate, but lacked clarity concerning what to do and what not to do. It was a bit unusual for me not to receive clear instruction after inquiring of the Lord. Finally, Holy Spirit reminded me that “God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (I Corinthians 14:33, NKJV). Hmmm, now why didn’t I think of that before?
Suddenly, I was drawn into the realm of encounter, where I began to intertwine with Shalom. I first saw Shalom as an actual being, one having a very muscular male form. Then, this being began to flicker back and forth between Shalom and Yeshua, the Prince of Peace. Later, I checked and, sure enough, the Hebrew word “shalom” is Strong’s #7965: a masculine noun meaning, “completeness, soundness, welfare, peace.” I already knew that the idea of shalom is a state of being where nothing is missing, broken or lacking and where everything is in Divine order. But I guess, before this encounter, I had thought of peace as more of a passive, easygoing quality. In this experience, I learned that this could not be further from the truth.
Just think… When God spoke to Moses and Joshua about entering the Promised Land, He often referred to it as “entering into rest.” And the blessing He instructed Aaron to speak over the people who would enter that land was one of peace.
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
-Numbers 6:22-27, NKJV
Think about it… a blessing of peace was spoken upon a people who were about to go to war against the giants occupying their new land. So, shalom is obviously not the absence of conflict. Solomon, whose name means “shalom,” had complete peace during his reign, but this peace was only possible because his father, David, had subdued everything contrary. In both of these cases, peace was the result of subduing the giants who resisted the government of God.
I love the Passion Translation’s rendering of Galatians 5:22-23:
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.
Romans 16:20 tells us that, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” THAT is why a crucial component of the armor of God is to have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:11-18, NKJV).
In my powerful encounter, this unshakably strong. stable and mighty being was here to keep me from being swayed, confused, derailed, devoured or shaken. And isn’t that exactly how the Prince of Peace operated when He walked this earth in human form? He was completely unmoved by anything except the Father’s will and the leading of the Spirit. He was moved with compassion as a manifestation of the Father’s heart and mind, but was never moved by the fear of man, the agendas of man, the flattery of man, the cares of this life or anything less than the Father’s perfection. He was always clear on His mission: to only do what He saw the Father doing. And He never lost sight of the Father! He didn’t allow the people to make Him king. He walked through the crowds when they tried to stone Him. No one could have ever taken His life had He not laid it down. He said no to every temptation. He was never confused, unclear, overwhelmed, stressed, double-minded or frazzled. He said, “Peace, be still!” to the storm, and it obeyed His command. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers in order to make His Father’s house a house of prayer.
As I intwined with Shalom and with the beautiful Prince of Peace simultaneously, I tangibly felt a strength and stability come into my being. Another unexpected thing that happened was that I literally felt my entire being and my physical brain being knitted back together (more on that in next week’s blog). I was eye to eye with the King, and I felt focus and clarity enter my eye gate through the portal of His eyes.
This encounter only lasted for a few moments. But afterward, the Lord instantly reminded me of three key things concerning my mandate and the walking out of that mandate… things He had already spoken to me but that had gotten lost in the fog. Immediately, what was obscured to me for so long was now simple and clear. I knew exactly what I was supposed to be doing and what I wasn’t! And all I had done was purposely intwine myself with Shalom and with the beautiful Prince of Peace.
If you have battled with confusion or lacked clarity concerning your purpose or your life in general, I encourage you to simply engage with Shalom and with the Prince of Peace through the gate of your sanctified imagination. Remember that peace is strong. Peace subdues kingdoms. Peace brings Divine order. Peace goes forth and does exactly what it is sent by the Father to do. May His shalom invade your life and overshadow your entire being today.
Next week, we’ll talk about how God uses Shabbat Shalom to supernaturally redeem time! Until then…
Virginia