Finding True Peace in God's Presence

Summary

Yehovah Shalom—The Lord is Peace. This is a name that appears only once in the Old Testament, yet its meaning is woven throughout the entire story of God’s people. Life is full of moments when peace seems to slip through our fingers—whether it’s the anxiety of a loved one’s illness, the loss of a job, or the disappointment of misplaced trust. These experiences are universal, and even as we seek to follow God, we can find ourselves wrestling with fear, doubt, and a longing for true peace.

The world offers many substitutes for peace: money, relationships, success, or security. But these are fleeting, and when they fail, many are left in despair. The statistics on suicide are a sobering reminder that the world’s peace is temporary and fragile. Yet, Scripture reveals that God alone is the source of lasting peace. In the Old Testament, He is Yehovah Shalom; in the New Testament, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. The peace God gives is not the absence of trouble, but His presence in the midst of it.

The story of Gideon in Judges 6 illustrates this truth. The Israelites, after turning away from God, found themselves oppressed and stripped of their dignity. Only when they reached the end of themselves did they cry out to God, and He responded—not with condemnation, but with deliverance. God chose Gideon, an ordinary, fearful, and skeptical man, to be the instrument of peace. Gideon’s story reminds us that God does not require extraordinary credentials—He seeks availability and a willingness to be clothed with His Spirit.

But before God could use Gideon, there was a call to tear down idols—altars to false gods that had taken root in their lives. In the same way, we are called to examine our own hearts for anything that has taken the place of God, whether it’s entertainment, ambition, or even good things that have become ultimate things. True peace begins when we surrender these idols and invite God to take His rightful place. God’s peace is not found in perfect circumstances, but in His presence, and He is always ready to respond with mercy when we turn to Him.

Key Takeaways

- God’s peace is not the absence of problems, but His presence in the midst of them. The world’s solutions—money, relationships, or achievements—can only offer temporary relief. Lasting peace is found when God is at the center of our lives, sustaining us through every storm. [05:15]

- The cycle of the Israelites in Judges reveals a pattern: turning from God leads to turmoil, but God’s mercy is always available when we cry out to Him. We don’t have to wait until we are at our lowest to seek His help; His grace is available today, and He longs to restore us. [14:48]

- God delights in using ordinary, even fearful or skeptical people for His purposes. Gideon was not chosen for his strength or status, but for his willingness to respond to God’s call. When we make ourselves available, God clothes us with His Spirit, transforming our identity and empowering us beyond our limitations. [24:26]

- Before God can fully work through us, He calls us to tear down the idols in our lives. Idols are not just physical objects, but anything that takes the place of God in our hearts—be it entertainment, ambition, or relationships. True peace begins when we surrender these and invite God to reign. [33:38]

- God’s response to our repentance is always mercy and restoration, not condemnation. No matter how long we have wandered or how many times we have failed, He is gracious, slow to anger, and rich in love. Today is the day to turn to Him, receive His peace, and become peacemakers in a troubled world. [38:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:47] - Opening Prayer
[03:56] - Personal Story: Losing Peace
[05:15] - The Search for Peace in the World
[06:43] - False Sources of Peace and Their Consequences
[12:12] - The Cycle of Israel’s Disobedience
[14:48] - Israel’s Oppression and Cry for Help
[18:03] - God’s Response: Raising a Deliverer
[21:11] - Gideon’s Fear and Skepticism
[23:38] - Gideon’s Questions and God’s Call
[24:26] - God Uses the Ordinary
[33:38] - Tearing Down Idols
[38:16] - Three Final Points on Peace

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Yehovah Shalom—The Lord is Peace

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### Bible Reading

- Judges 6:1–24
(The story of Gideon’s call, Israel’s oppression, and the naming of the altar “The Lord is Peace”)

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Judges 6, what specific actions led to Israel’s oppression by the Midianites?
[[12:12]]

2. How does Gideon respond when the angel of the Lord calls him a “mighty man of valor”? What doubts or fears does he express?
[[21:11]]

3. What does God ask Gideon to do before using him to deliver Israel, and why is this significant?
[[33:38]]

4. In verse 24, why does Gideon build an altar and call it “The Lord is Peace”? What just happened in the story?
[[24:26]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The Israelites waited seven years before crying out to God for help. What does this reveal about their relationship with God and their understanding of where true peace comes from?
[[14:48]]

2. Gideon describes himself as the “least” in his family and from the “weakest” clan. Why do you think God chooses people like Gideon to accomplish His purposes?
[[24:26]]

3. God commands Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal before leading Israel. What does this teach about the connection between idolatry and experiencing God’s peace?
[[33:38]]

4. The sermon says, “God’s peace is not the absence of problems, but His presence in the midst of them.” How does this idea challenge common views of peace in our culture?
[[05:15]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon mentioned that people often look for peace in money, relationships, or success, but these are temporary. Where are you most tempted to look for peace outside of God? How has that worked for you in the past?
[[06:43]]

2. Is there an “idol” in your life—something (even a good thing) that has taken God’s place in your heart? What would it look like to “tear down” that idol this week?
[[33:38]]

3. Gideon was fearful and skeptical, yet God still called and used him. Are there areas where you feel too ordinary, weak, or doubtful to be used by God? What might it look like to make yourself available to Him anyway?
[[24:26]]

4. The Israelites waited until they were at their lowest to cry out to God. Is there a situation in your life where you’ve been trying to handle things on your own instead of turning to God? What’s stopping you from crying out to Him now?
[[14:48]]

5. The sermon said, “God’s response to our repentance is always mercy and restoration, not condemnation.” Do you struggle to believe this is true for you? Why or why not?
[[38:16]]

6. The peace God gives is described as His presence, not perfect circumstances. Can you recall a time when you experienced God’s peace even though your situation didn’t change? What helped you recognize His presence?
[[05:15]]

7. The message ended with a call to become “peacemakers in a troubled world.” What is one practical way you can bring God’s peace into your family, workplace, or community this week?
[[38:16]]

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Close in prayer, asking God to reveal any idols, to fill each person with His peace, and to make the group peacemakers in their world.

Devotional

Day 1: God Is Our True Source of Peace
In life, we often search for peace in our jobs, relationships, or material possessions, believing that these things will bring us lasting happiness and security. Yet, as many have discovered, these sources of peace are temporary and can be taken away in an instant. True and eternal peace comes only from God, who is called Yehovah Shalom—the Lord is Peace. Even when circumstances are uncertain or painful, God offers a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that remains steady in the midst of chaos. If you find yourself restless or anxious, remember that God alone is the giver of lasting peace, and He invites you to come to Him today. [05:15]

Judges 6:24 (ESV)
Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.

Reflection: Where in your life have you been seeking peace apart from God, and how can you intentionally turn to Him as your source of true peace today?


Day 2: God’s Peace Is Found in His Presence, Not Circumstances
The Israelites experienced hardship and oppression because they turned away from God, yet when they finally cried out to Him, He responded with mercy and deliverance. This shows that peace is not the absence of problems, but the presence of God in the midst of them. No matter how overwhelming your situation may feel, God’s presence brings a peace that circumstances cannot take away. When you invite God into your struggles, He meets you there and gives you the strength and calm your heart needs. [38:16]

Exodus 33:14 (ESV)
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to invite God’s presence today, trusting Him to bring peace even if your circumstances don’t change?


Day 3: God Uses Ordinary, Weak, and Doubting People
Gideon was scared, skeptical, and considered himself the least in his family, yet God chose him to deliver Israel and bring peace. God does not look for the strongest, the most influential, or the most confident—He looks for those who are willing and available. When God’s Spirit clothes you, your identity is transformed, and He can use you in ways you never imagined. Don’t let your weaknesses or doubts keep you from saying yes to God’s call; He delights in using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. [24:26]

Judges 6:14-16 (ESV)
And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

Reflection: What is one area where you feel inadequate or unqualified, and how might God be inviting you to trust Him and step out in faith anyway?


Day 4: Peace Begins When We Tear Down Idols and Invite God In
Before God could use Gideon fully, He commanded him to tear down the altar to Baal and build an altar to the Lord. In our own lives, idols are anything that takes the place of God in our hearts—whether it’s entertainment, money, relationships, or even our own comfort. God calls us to examine our hearts, remove anything that competes with Him, and make space for His Spirit to dwell. When we surrender our idols, we open ourselves to the peace and purpose that only God can give. [33:38]

1 John 5:21 (ESV)
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Reflection: What is one “idol” or distraction in your life that you need to lay down so that God can fill you with His peace?


Day 5: God Is Gracious and Ready to Restore
The story of the Israelites shows that even after years of wandering and disobedience, God is always ready to respond with grace when His people cry out to Him. He does not hold our past against us, but welcomes us back with open arms, offering forgiveness and peace. No matter how far you feel from God or how long you have waited, today is the day to turn to Him. He is slow to anger, rich in love, and eager to restore you to wholeness. [38:16]

Psalm 86:5 (ESV)
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to ask God for forgiveness and restoration? What step can you take today to return to Him and receive His peace?

Quotes

At some point in our lives, we put our faith in someone and something, and then eventually we lost those people and the trust and the faith. And all of that, we have lost our peace in life at least once. From the day we were born till today, at least once, we have all lost our peace. And if you are saying that, yes, that's right, I have lost my peace once in my life, then today's message is for you. [00:02:39] (00:00:30 seconds) Edit Clip

As christians today we know that our god is the one who can give us peace he is called yehovah shalom in the old testament here which means the lord is peace and in the new testament jesus is called the prince of peace and we know that the fruit of the spirit is peace so we know that the one that is in us is much greater than the one that is in the world no matter your situations no matter your problems no matter your chaotic situations you might be thinking this is the end of my life but no if you can come to christ and if you can give your life to jesus he can give you peace. [00:08:12] (00:00:44 seconds) Edit Clip

But do not expect this peace of god to be in your life if you keep your leg in two boats a lot of people that i know they think that if i go to church on a sunday morning i have salvation and my life will be peaceful that's not how it works people like to go to clubbing throughout the week on and on sunday morning they come to church thinking it will cleanse their sins i'm sorry to say this but that is not how it works that is not how it works because the word of god is very clear the word of god says either be hot or be cold but if you are in the middle then i'm going to spit you out that is what the word of god says. [00:08:56] (00:00:46 seconds) Edit Clip

When we do something wrong in our life, God wants us to correct our mistakes and he wants us to come back to him. When we don't come back to him, he will bring certain situations, he will bring certain problems in our lives and that will make us to go back to him. And even when we don't listen to God, then you know, what does God do? He says, okay, I wanted you to come back to me. Since you're not coming back to me, I'm going to leave you. I'm going to let you be. And that is the most dangerous situation we can ever be at. [00:13:17] (00:00:37 seconds) Edit Clip

If someone walks up to you today and they say you are too old you are too young to be used by the lord you are a skeptic person you are a scared person to be used by the lord you're not a bold enough person to be used by the lord then look at that person and say no god can use me god can use me. [00:25:11] (00:00:22 seconds) Edit Clip

Gideon is saying that lord how can i deliver israel how can i save israel and give them peace my clan is the weakest lord i do not have thousands of followers on instagram i do not have thousands and thousands of followers on youtube i do not have thousands of friends on facebook my family is not connected to military my family is the weakest my clan is the weakest and you want to use me how is that possible lord no that's that can't be true gideon is saying that gideon is saying that and he's saying that not only my clan is the weakest but i am the least i am not thehead of my clan but i am the least in my clan and you want to use someone like me if i preach today no one is no one will listen to me lord but if billy gram comes to chicago and if he preaches there's going to be a huge revival i am a nobody lord that is how he's saying so with this we also know that gideon is a common person gideon is a common person like you and like me and still god wants to use him to deliver israel and give them peace and give them peace. [00:25:56] (00:01:20 seconds) Edit Clip

When gideon realized that he saw the angel face to face he was scared he was scared that he's going to lose his life because the word of god says no one who sees the father who sees the lord can live that scripture is very clear about that and when gideon realized that he saw the angel which is the pre -incarnate of jesus christ many commentaries many people believe that the angel in gideon 6 is actually the pre -incarnate of jesus christ i don't have a whole lot of time to talk about that but i i my view is the same as them when he realized that this is the pre -incarnate of jesus christ and he saw the pre -incarnate of jesus christ he was scared and he was scared that he was going to lose his life and the lord said gideon peace peace to be with you and gideon built an altar there and he called it the lord is peace which means yehovah shalom yehovah shalom and this word only appears once in the entire old testament and this word only appears here in judges chapter 6 and verse 24. [00:32:09] (00:01:13 seconds) Edit Clip

If we are not sleeping on time on Saturday night in order for us to come to church on a Sunday morning, then what we did on a Saturday night has become our idol. And we need to break that idol. We need to cleanse that place so the Spirit of the God can come and live inside us.And when the Spirit of the Lord can come and live inside us, He is the one who can give us peace, the word of the God is very clear that I will make you peacemakers.And if you want to be that peacemaker in your life, then you need to break the idols in your life. So peace begins when we take down idols and invite God in, invite God in. [00:36:36] (00:00:40 seconds) Edit Clip

When Israelites cried out to the Lord, God did not say that it's too late now for you to beg for mercy. For seven years, I was waiting for you to cry out, but you did not cry out. Now I'm not going to show you mercy. That is not how the Lord reacted. He said, okay, you cried out to me. As a loving father, I am right here. I am right here.I will deliver you and give you peace. He is gracious. He is slow to anger and rich in love. [00:37:51] (00:00:33 seconds) Edit Clip

Year after year, year after year, we do a lot of things. And today is the day of salvation. Today is the day where we can repent of our sins and we can cry out to the Lord for help and He can give us peace. It's not just the story of Israelites. It's also the story of us. [00:38:23] (00:00:18 seconds) Edit Clip