Peace

Isaiah wrote, "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isa 26:3).

As we all know, the Hebrew word that we translate to mean "peace" is shâlôm. Peace. We get it. I was surprised, then, to find that the word has a root. The root word is shâlam. Well, now, that's interesting. No, hang on, it really is. Because the meaning of the root word is "to be safe." And it only gets more interesting from there. The word is used to figuratively refer to being friendly, as in making amends, repaying a debt, recompense, making restitution -- redemption.

Where, then, do we find real peace ("perfect peace")? We find it when we are safe, but not just physically safe. We find it when we have a right relationship with God and stand in the security of that redeemed relationship with God. True peace is found there. When we trust in Him. Just like Isaiah said.