Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

JEHOVAH-SHALOM

The compound name in Hebrew: “Jehovah-shalom” literally translates as: “The God of peace.” God is referred to in this way in both Old and New Testaments. But Hebrew words go beyond pronunciation to include emotion, intent, etc. “Shalom” then conveys a sense of contentment, wellness, completeness, harmony. It is the common greeting in Israel today. So “Shalom” is an emotional extension of one’s desire for another that it should be well with him/her. In His grace, God’s people can say with confidence: It is well with my soul. This may be said in spite of life’s burdens and challenges. Because of faith in Jehovah-Shalom, the Shunammite woman whose son lay dead could report to the prophet of God that all was well with her husband and her child. 2 Kings 4:26. I have a cousin in Colorado who does some writing. The following words (with very slight editing) are from her pen.

“The cell phone rings. A sheriff says, “We are at your home, we believe there has been an explosion…” Now, I am driving around with a capitalized “RADIATION ONCOLOGY PARKING” sticker in order to park behind the sterile medical building to assist my brother-in-law to his cancer treatments. Also, I can walk out of a memory care center, but my blue-eyed, brunette-haired sister cannot. Moreover, the nights are long and noisy when sleeping in the rustling bed next to your dad’s so he doesn’t fall yet again in the too-warm darkness of the nursing home… it is all so hard to understand. I choose a tree in the forest that looks unique, strong, tall, beautiful enough to say: here is where mom’s ashes shall be scattered, as our family waits for this decision. A long time ago, she made me promise not to bury her.

Sometimes, I wonder how we are to keep going. How many of you think the same at times? And then I sing. I don’t know how; it just bubbles up from all my years in church…all my years of faith. I have a favorite hymn written by Horatio Spafford, in 1873. He penned the poem as he sailed to England going to his wife after she cabled, “saved alone.” A French ship named Ville du Havre (It is well) collided with an English ship and sank in 12 minutes. Mr. Spafford’s four daughters perished.

You all know the hymn. Music was put to words in 1876, with

deep harmony throughout.

Down south, the women sing the first It is Well, the men sing the second It is Well, during the chorus. I love to sing this song. I love to hear the song, the melody, the words, the sense of trust, and ultimate peace.

We had a pastor who told us about his favorite hymn. He told us

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