WALKING IN PEACE

Dear Pastor,

As I sit down to write a note to my pastor friends, I recall Gideon’s state of mind. The way Gideon saw himself was greatly different than God’s perspective of Gideon. Gideon was obviously fearful; however, God saw him as a man of valor and a great warrior. Gideon, in Judges 6:13, said, “The Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian”. Gideon needed more than a Sabbath Service at his synagogue; he needed God. God was choosing him to deliver Israel. Gideon was an ordinary man and he was a man overwhelmed with fear. He was like we are at times; he wanted a sign that it was really God who was talking to him. “If now I have found favor in your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who speaks with me.” (Judges 6:17)

When Gideon saw that it was the Angel of the Lord, he said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now, I have seen the Angel of the Lord “face to face”. The Lord said to him, “ Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.” Then Gideon built an altar to the Lord and named it, The Lord is Peace. ( Jehovah Shalom - Judges 6:21-24). Gideon experienced Peace in God’s presence. His Peace was the result of his encounter with JEHOVAH SHALOM. This word, Shalom, means completeness, nothing lacking, no broken relationships, prosperous in every sense of the word. It is everything properly aligned and harmonious; it is PEACE.

In Romans 8:6 Paul writes, “The mindset on the flesh is death, but the mindset on the Spirit is life and Peace. Gideon found peace in the presence of God and that is also where you and I will find His Peace.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever. For, in YAH, the Lord is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

The Sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian for seven years and the power of Midian prevailed against Israel. (Judges 6:1-2) When Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land, they had been commanded by the Lord to possess the land and drive out the enemy. (Judges 24:5) They stopped short of driving out the enemy and consequently their culture was mixed with other cultures, (diversity), and their faith was compromised by the gods of other cultures. We have seen this in America, and we are also seeing Apostasy in the church. Have we given up too much Land? (Spiritual)

The children of Israel were in the Promised Land; however, the enemy who was to be driven out by the Israelites and God’s presence was now defeating Israel. As a result of God’s discipline, the Israelites were brought to the place where God could help. Confession and repentance are what God is always looking for. God was still there in their religious culture, but was He their only God? Is this true for the state of the world in which we live? In America, it could be suggested that our “religion” includes God and the world. We have an idol and its name is “materialism”. We want both God and the world system. Have we become cultural Christians? The problem with the children of Israel was spiritual, not social, financial, or governmental (political). Spiritual problems will always separate us from God for the “mystery of lawlessness is already at work, only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” (See 2 Thess. 2:7) God permits us to stumble and fall until we cry out. The sons of Israel cried out and as a response to their cry, God sent an angel to call Gideon to deliver them.

The story of Gideon begins with Gideon hiding in a wine press and with great fear. God confronts him, after testing God with a fleece, Gideon was then tested by God by reducing the number of his troops from thousands to three hundred (Judges 6:36-7:17)

How did Gideon handle his fear? Four principles we learn from Gideon relative to fear.

Reestablish a relationship with God: Gideon went and prepared a meal for the Lord as a sacrificial meal. We are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord. (Rom. 12:1) God initiated the ritual of sacrifice to restore and have a continual relationship with Him. Sacrifice equates to relationship. Gideon’s sacrifice was accepted, which would mean to him that he had the favor of God.
Press into the Lord: Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God; “For I have seen The Angel of the Lord” face to face.” This gives the connotation of an intimate encounter with his Lord. (The Angel is thought to be the pre-incarnate Jesus) Gideon pressed in and didn’t give up. We must not quit until we experience a breakthrough, which only comes after spending time with the Lord and abiding in Him.
Expect a word from God: Gideon expected to hear from God. After pressing into God’s presence then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you, do not fear, you shall not die.” Peace is always the result of being with the Lord. Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe (trust) in Me (John 14:1) So we too should expect a word from God.
Build an altar: So, what did Gideon do after he heard from God? Gideon built an altar to the Lord and called it “The Lord Is Peace” (Jehovah Shalom). Pastor Tony Evans, in his book, The Power of God’s Names, has said, “Judges is the only place in scripture where the compound, Jehovah Shalom, is used. (See page 102) Gideon found peace in God’s presence. Pastor that is where you and I will also find peace, in His Presence. I believe for Gideon, it was an altar of remembrance, but it was a place where Gideon met God and God met with Gideon.

Pastor, indeed these are perilous times and maybe a foreshadow of God’s judgment on the nations of the world. Second Chronicles 7:14 is wringing in my ears, “if my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” The word heal, (Rapha), means to cure, heal, repair, mend, and restore health. (Strong’s #7459)

Could there be a parallel with what was going on in the nation of Israel and what is going on in the nations of our world today? There is unrest, fear, panic, and chaos in the hearts of people worldwide, including the hearts of many Believers. Satan has used the COVID-19 virus to perpetuate this fear and terror, however, our God will use this circumstance to accomplish His purposes in our lives.

I am praying for you pastor and all the God-fearing pastors of the world that God will anoint you with a fresh anointing and a fresh revelation of His Word. God’s Word anointed with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is the anointing that breaks every chain and every yoke. (Isaiah 10:27)

Thank you for your faithfulness in loving and caring, encouraging and exhorting us, the sheep of His fold. As we the sheep, get closer to the Master Shepherd and are brought into the Master’s presence, our faith is built up in Him and His promises are yes and amen. (2 Corinth.1:20) We are brought closer by our pastors feeding and tending His flock with spiritual food.

You are very special and of great value, because you were bought with a great price and so was I.

May you, your immediate family and your flock be overwhelmed with His love!

Brother Gene Lamberth

ServingHIM Prayer Team Lead