[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 03/Aug/2025]
In our entrance hall at home we have a small ceramic plaque showing the word “SHALOM” which we bought on a visit to Israel. The word means basically peace or tranquillity, as I remember a sermon about it one Sunday. At the time of our visit to that land there was peace in and around Israel, although it is hard to imagine that today.
We even visited the Palestinian Territories and also stayed in a Palestinian hotel for a week before moving on to an Israeli hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. I don’t think I would like to go there today even if I could now, at least not until Jesus, the Prince of Peace, returns to rule over a cleansed, forgiven and redeemed Israel, and also reign over the whole world. Then there will be true peace everywhere.
I was thinking of this when I recently read an encouraging definition of shalom. It said, “The Hebrew word shalom means peace, but also completeness, wholeness, safety, security, soundness, health and prosperity. It is the restoration of all things.” This would be a marvellous answer to the world’s problems, and also the serious difficulties that we face ourselves in the experiences of life, including our health. I think of the health problems that I have faced over a number of years, and yet they are as nothing compared with the health struggles and anxieties of others that I know.
In the Bible we are encouraged to sing a new song to the Lord, and my thoughts about peace must explain why I found the songs we sang last Sunday so meaningful and emotional. In “My Lighthouse” we sang “I won’t fear what tomorrow brings.” Why is that? “My God’s love will lead me through. You are the peace in my troubled sea.”
I didn’t know the song “Firm Foundation”, but it affirms that “Christ is my firm foundation. The rock on which I stand when everything around me is shaken. I’ve never been more glad that I put my faith in Jesus ‘cause He’s never let me down.” It goes on to say, “I’ve still got joy in chaos. I’ve got peace that makes no sense.” That’s just what it is – peace that makes no sense – it is only because Jesus is in our lives that we have that peace. “So I won’t be going under, I’m not held by my own strength, ‘cause I’ve built my life on Jesus. He’s never let me down.”
The song “I Speak Jesus” has been very significant for me. “I just want to speak the Name of Jesus over every heart and every mind. ‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence, I speak Jesus.” There is someone in my life I have a relationship problem with and whenever we meet I speak Jesus over that person silently. And Jesus is faithful, that problem is gradually softening.
The last song “You Never Let Go” I have quoted from before. “Oh no You never let go through the calm and through the storm. Oh no You never let go in ev’ry high and ev’ry low. Oh no You never let go. Lord you never let go of me.” It was when we sang the words that came next last Sunday that emotion welled up inside me. “And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on, a glorious light beyond all compare. And there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes we’ll live to know You here on the earth.” That light is Jesus and He is coming. Hold on to that.
When that day comes we shall know true and perfect peace in the presence of Jesus.
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Contributed by Michael Goble; © Michael Goble