Shalom

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." -- Numbers 6:24-26

This passage from Numbers is the blessing prayer given to Aaron and his sons to make declaration over Israel -- a people set apart by the favor of God's face shining down upon them.

The Hebrew word for peace in this passage is the word "shalom." Shalom basically encompasses all the goodness of Heaven. It is so filled with rich meaning -- the sum total of all blessings. It's a sound mind, wholeness, prosperity, divine health, protection, peace with God and man, blessing in all things (temporal and spiritual), and about anything else you can think of that's good. It's all found in this word.

Oftentimes, when I don't quite know what to pray over someone, I speak the "Shalom of Heaven" into their lives. And, one of my pastors, Bob Hostetler, regularly pronounces this blessing over our church as a benediction.

To be under the almighty protection of God our Savior; to enjoy his favor as the smile of a loving Father, or as the cheering beams of the sun; while he mercifully forgives our sins, supplies our wants, consoles the heart, and prepares us by his grace for eternal glory; these things form the substance of this blessing, and the sum total of all blessings. Shalom!