27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
02 Acts 14 08-20 THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA 46 Acts 14 15-17 God’s purpose is Shalom
📖 Acts 14:08-20
46 – Sat, 06 Dec 2025 – *God’s purpose is Shalom*- _Acts 14:08-20_ – THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA – _Colossians 01:19-20_
_Acts 14:15-17 and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, (16) who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. (17) *Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.*"_
The heart of God is to restore man to the Shalom of God. The Shalom of God is how things ought to be. Here is a quote. _"The webbing together of God, humans and all creation in justice, fulfilment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call Shalom. We call it peace, but it means more than mere peace of mind or a cease fire between enemies. In the Bible, Shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight- a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied, and natural gifts fully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Saviour opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom He delights. *Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be*.”_ - Cornelius Plantinga
This is the cry of God’s heart. _Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, (20) and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross._
Man, under the clutches of the devil, is doing things that are opposite to the Shalom of God. The Shalom of God is the character of the kingdom of God. The Shalom of God is experienced in the habitat of God. _Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, *Whose mind is stayed on You*, Because he trusts in You._
The prophets capture this understanding of *the Shalom of God in His habitat*, beautifully. _Isaiah 32:15-18 Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest. (16) Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. (17) The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. (18) *My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places*,_ / _Ezekiel 37:26-27 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and *I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. (27) My tabernacle also shall be with them;* indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people._
The Lord is calling us to abide in His habitat by abiding in His word. _John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, *he will keep My word*; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him._ / _John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "*If you abide in My word*, you are My disciples indeed. (32) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."_
The blessing of God is the Shalom of God. _Numbers 6:24-26 "The LORD bless you and keep you; (25) The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; (26) The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, *And give you peace*." '_ What the Lord is giving us is His Shalom. _John 14:27 *Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;* not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid._
The kingdom of God consists of God's Shalom. _Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit._ The church experiences oneness when we live in the Shalom of God and in His kingdom. _Ephesians 4:2-3 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (3) *endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace*._
We work to bring in God’s Shalom to the world. _Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God._
This is the picture of God's goodness toward us. _Psalms 65:9-13 You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; The river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, For so You have prepared it. (10) You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth. (11) You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. (12) They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, And the little hills rejoice on every side. (13) The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing._
This does not mean that there will not be trials, but in Christ, we have His Shalom. _John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that *in Me you may have peace*. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."_