The Compass
Judges 6:1-24, Luke 7:36-50 and Philippians 4:6-7
In Judges 6 we find Gideon threshing wheat in a winepress in an attempt to hide the wheat from the enemy. The nation of
The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom.” Today, the term is a common greeting or farewell in
This week we will discover the peace found in the very presence of God. A peace that flows from who God is, not what he does.
The human desire for peace has existed from the beginning of time. Adam and Eve sought peace by hiding from God. Cain sought peace with God after murdering his brother Able. Peace treaties have been established throughout time. The Nobel Peace Prize, established in 1901, recognizes contributions to improve peace throughout the world. The 1960’s are known as the decade of peace and love. That generation raised awareness of the human desire for peace with phrases such as “give peace a chance”. Peace talks followed in the 70’s. And we continue to strive for world peace today. But do we really know what we are seeking?
Peace found in “shalom” is not about an external circumstance. It is an internal state of being. Peace is not a decision to put into action. It is a description of who we are. Individuals in our culture often create a façade of peace when there is no resemblance of peace in the depths of their very being.
A family member recently offered an analogy for this thought. His neighbor’s house has great curb appeal. Someone passing by may be impressed with the well kept yard. But the next-door-neighbors see beyond the front yard. They see the towel that has covered a broken window for several years and a back yard full of weeds.
We are often tempted to be deceptive in a similar way with our spiritual life. We have a sense that what others see is more important than what they cannot see. We may even begin to deceive ourselves and judge those who do not create similar façades in their lives.
The analogy is closer to home for this thought. My husband is diligent about maintaining a yard without weeds. Not everyone shares this passion. Lawn care was apparently not a priority for one neighbor. A fallen tree, damaged in a recent ice storm, laid in his front yard for several weeks. The thought of offering to help was discussed but never acted on. We were just amazed at how long he waited to take care of the mess in his yard. That spring, our neighbor died from complications of a lifelong struggle with asthma.
Sadly, we knew very little about this neighbor except what we assumed, based on our perspective. We did nothing to develop a relationship. Yet we expected him to behave according to the standards we set for ourselves. Taking time to get to know him would have brought peace. Peace to our frustrations and possibly peace to him through neighborly assistance.
In our spiritual journey we often set up expectations of others based on our own experiences. We assume the peace we are searching for is created by all people behaving according to our desires. That may be peaceful but it is temporary.
We may even be so bold as to extend this assumption to God. Rather than taking the time to get to know God, we simply make our requests for how he can bring peace into our lives.
Shalom withstands external circumstances and expectations. This expression of hope is found or planted in others by taking the time to get to know them. A façade of love is displayed when we attempt to create external peace without the presence of peace inside. First Corinthians 13:3 refers to this façade in this way: “If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.”
First Samuel 16:7 reminds us that “man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart." The Lord of Peace offers more than temporary peaceful circumstances. He sees behind the façade and, like a good neighbor, offers to step into our brokenness with tools we do not possess. It is not the repairs but His presence that immediately brings peace in our lives.
As you search for peace, look beyond the visible. Our daily scripture reading and questions this week will help us see that shalom is discovered when we recognize the presence of God.
Your Challenge for the Week
à Memorize 2 Peter 1:2-7
à Enter into conversation with someone outside of this class about peace. What does that word mean to you and to them? What would it mean to have peace in our world today? How do they see this happening? What is the role of individuals and nations in accomplishing peace?
à As you read the scriptures regarding peace, consider how you define peace in your personal life and in the world. Notice life around you. How is peace acquired according to books, advertising and even in many churches? Look for those very specific references to shalom.
Study Questions
1. What is the condition of
2. What do verses 7 through 10 tell you about God?
3. What can you imagine about Gideon’s emotions and reactions that is not written? (Accuracy is not important for this question – let your imagination lead you according to the personality He has given you.)
4. Describe a current or recent circumstance in your life where your response would resemble Gideon’s response to the angel of the Lord.
5. How has your perspective of prayer changed in regard to “Gideon’s fleece” now that you read it in context of the entire chapter? If you were not familiar with any of these events, describe the interaction between God and Gideon before Gideon put out the fleece.
Digging Deeper
Read Numbers 25. What event occurred prior to the Lord establishing a covenant of peace? What did the Lord instruct to continue this peace? How does this concept of peace differ from the world’s view of peace and tolerance?
1. Give a modern day example of the stereotypical characteristics of the individuals mentioned in the event described in verses 36 through 39. How do you most resemble one of these individuals?
2. Describe at least two possible ways the Pharisee may have felt about having Jesus at his house for dinner. When have you found yourself thinking this way about Christ in your life?
3. What situations in your life give you a clue to the emotional mindset and behavior of the woman?
4. What specifically does Jesus indicate as the reason she is able to “go in peace?”
5. What in your life today do you need to look away from so that you may focus on the presence of Christ and go in peace?
Digging Deeper
Read Matthew 10:24-39, John 14:27 and John 16:33. Journal your thoughts on peace according to these passages and in comparison to your view of peace. How do you live according to the world’s view of external peace? How do you live according to Christ’s view of internal peace? What circumstances in your life do you desire to find the peace of Christ?
Mark 4:35-41 …and it was completely calm
1. Describe this scene according to your imagination. At what point do you imagine the disciples went to Jesus? Where were they emotionally when they approached Christ?
2. Describe a recent example in your life that resembles the behavior of the disciples.
3. How would you explain the difference in their emotions in verse 38 and the emotion stated in verse 41?
4. At what time in your life have you been terrified of God?
Digging Deeper
Read Daniel 3. Describe the emotional mindset and behavior of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego and the affect it had on the nation. What fiery furnaces are you facing today? What do you need in your life to calmly approach the fire? The three men in Daniel had the support of each other before the presence of God joined them in the furnace. What were they certain of? What were they unsure of?
John 8:2-11 Neither do I condemn you
1. Imagine yourself in the shoes of this woman. What is going through your mind? What do you expect to happen? How does the response of Jesus impact you?
2. Describe a circumstance in your life that has stirred similar thoughts and expectations (not necessarily as severe but a fear of what is anticipated). What was the response of the authority over you (parent, boss, police officer, judge etc)? How did this response impact your life? How would Christ’s response in that situation have impacted your life?
3. Look again at the parable in Luke 7:41-42. How do you view your debt to Christ? How has his response on the cross impacted your life?
4. At what point do you imagine the woman in John 8 experienced peace?
5. What instruction did Christ give for her to continue in peace?
6. What external peace are you seeking? What do you fear would be the response of Christ or others? How does your perspective of peace need to be adjusted so that you go in peace? What is God’s response to the circumstances you brought on yourself?
Digging Deeper
Read Matthew 5:17-20 and Romans 7:7-13; 8:1-6. What do you understand to be the purpose of the law? How is the “law” misused? In what areas have you used the law as a measuring stick rather than a thermometer? What areas of your life do you need to accept God’s healing touch rather than expecting his judgment?
John 4:4-42 Could this be the Christ?
1. According to what is written in scripture, describe how you imagine the woman would have felt about her life circumstances before meeting Jesus. What assumptions/traditions are you aware of that would have affected her self-worth?
2. What assumptions or church traditions affect the way you view yourself and others? What ideas do you feel you cannot pursue because of who you are?
3. What was the woman’s response to Jesus’ knowledge of who she really is?
4. What is the encouragement Jesus gives to the woman? How is this response encouraging to you?
5. What impact did knowing who Jesus is have on the woman’s life?
6. What impressions of Jesus are you looking for that you have not found?
7. What experiences have you had with the person of Christ that would impact others if you could get them to understand how you discovered who He is?
Digging Deeper
Read John 14:5-11, 27-31; John 17:25-26. What is God saying to you in these passages? Do you know Christ in such a way that He is in you just as God is in Him?
Weekly Summary
Philippians 4:4-9 gives an explanation of how to have the peace of God. Is it an “easier said than done” statement? Many times, in our hunger for peace, we begin with verse six of that passage which gives instructions on what we are to do. The key to peace is the expression and proclamation of verses four and five. The Lord is near! Do you sense His presence? His presence is peace. Rejoicing will be a natural response not a “to do” when you recognize His presence in your life. He can take control of all your circumstances – He has overcome the world! He is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Turn you eyes away from the things that take your focus off of the One who is Shalom.
Journal your thoughts from this week’s study. God is speaking to you. What is He saying? Are you unsure whether it is God? Write it down anyway. Clarity will come as you get to know him better.
Did you accept the challenges for this week? How did these experiences impact your relationship with Him and with others?
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