God Promises to Delight in Your Peace

Psalms 35:27 May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
 
JESUS spoke “peace” into his people many times as he ministered his redemptive healing power. On one occasion he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34) After his resurrection he came to his fearful, distraught disciples: Luke 24:36 While they were still talking about (Jesus appearing to the men at Emmaus) Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  Jesus came to tell the world that God delights in the well-being of his servant.
   Well-being in the Hebrew language means shalom. Most of us equate this word with peace. But it means much more. Shalom is an active well-being in each aspect of one’s life. For example, it speaks of peace with God, peace with others, peace from self-criticism and peace with your life’s circumstances. When you experience well-being under God’s hand, you are living in loving faithfulness with your Lord Jesus. You trust his goodness and mercy follows you all the days of your life. (Psalm 23:6) You believe the LORD blesses you and keeps you. He makes his face shine upon you. He is gracious to you. (from Numbers 16:24-25) Knowing God’s well-being means you personally know and trust God’s love for you.
   Do you ever wonder what life was like for those who experienced Jesus’ stunning miracles? What did the lame do when they could run? What did the blind look at when they could see? How did the sick feel when they were suddenly free from disease? When the next obstacles confronted them, did they remember, “Jesus healed me. He delights in my well-being. With shalom I will trust him.” Jesus’ disciples would constantly confront peace-challenging assaults in their work; yet they would remember the risen Lord Jesus stood before them to promise that he delights in their well-being.
   Long before the woman and the disciples knew Jesus’ peace, God’s anointed warrior and king David knew God’s well-being was on him. In the midst of much adversity he came to completely trust he was well under God’s care.
   And this is how it can be for you. Do you know Jesus delights in your well-being? You can always know his peace is with you because it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22a). Peace is a living blessing the Holy Spirit gives to you for your Christian life. Peace is free to you because Jesus has paid for your eternal well-being. He is your suffering servant who claims victory over Satan’s troubles. Jesus is your triumphant, risen King, who blesses you with his shalom: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)
   Jesus has healed your sin. Keep foremost in your mind the Lord delights in your well-being. He loves to see that his peace rules your heart. It’s a sure sign you receive his salvation with love and joy for your God.