4/20 Judges 6:24

²⁴ 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.

The angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and told him that he was to lead his people against the Midianites. Gideon asked, "Why me?" He said his clan was the weakest in the tribe and he was the least in his family. Surely God had the wrong guy. The LORD told him, "I will be with you!" That makes all the difference. God and one person are always a majority. Sometimes God uses the least so that people will recognize that He is at work.

Gideon asked the angel to stay so he could give him a meal. The angel had him put the meat and bread on a rock and pour the broth over it. Then the angel touched it with the tip of his staff and fire sprang from the rock and consumed the meal. The angel vanished.

Gideon realized he had been talking to the LORD. He was fearful because God said no one could see him and live (Exodus 33:20). The LORD spoke to Gideon again and told him to be at peace and not fear, for he would not die. Gideon had seen the pre-incarnate Son of God, Jesus (Colossians 1:15). Gideon called the altar he built YHWH Shalom, "The LORD is Peace". The LORD was calling him to go to war, yet telling him to be at peace in his own heart.

Peace is not an outward condition, but rather the state of the heart in its relationship to God. Fear is a lack of peace. Do you know the LORD Jesus as your peace? This precious name of God is one that we should look to when fear would overtake our hearts. When days seem impossible to get through, cling to the LORD Peace.

Consider: When everything seems too much to bear and your heart is overwhelmed, don't look for the circumstances to change to obtain peace. Look to "The LORD is Peace." His presence with you is all you really need.