In English, peace is often taken to mean the absence of war and chaos. Rather than being positive, it’s neutral. Like zero, it is perceived as nothingness. An empty void, but one that is preferable to the never-ending heartaches of living life.

However, that isn’t the peace of Yahweh Shalom.

The Hebrew word shalom is often translated as peace, but the Hebrew meaning is much bigger: a universal flourishing, filled with tranquility, and delight. It is a rich wholeness where natural needs are satisfied and everyone’s gifts are fruitfully employed. It’s not a zero: it’s a positive.

When you think of Yahweh Shalom, think of the joyous harmony of Eden. It is a promise of fulfillment being worked out in a perfect relationship with God. It’s transcending beyond the negative, through neutral, and into the blessing of being in sync with God’s plan for you and the world.