As we sought the Lord for a Word for 2021 at London Network Church, we felt that God was speaking to us about Shalom. Shalom is the Hebrew Old Testament word that we translate ‘Peace’. But a fuller way of understanding this word would be our modern understanding of ‘Well Being’ and ‘Wholeness’. God’s peace affects not only our inner being but can extend to the whole of society. It means peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquillity. We as believers are to carry that peace (John 14: 27) despite what is happening in the whirlwind of world events. We are to demonstrate the harmony of peace because ‘Christ is our peace’, and He has made us all one in our diversity (Ephesians 2: 14).
When quoting
Isaiah 61, Jesus made clear in Luke 4: 18 – 19, that the Spirit of the Lord had
anointed Him to preach the gospel to both the physically and spiritually poor
(Matthew 5: 3 & Luke 6: 20) and heal the broken hearted, those with the
deepest emotional and psychological needs. Jesus is there to heal, to deliver
people spirit, soul and body. To meet spiritual, emotional, physical and even social
needs.
In the 1700s
Wesley referred to Is 61 in his revival which came immediately after great
difficulty and unrest. Out of unrest came a great revival that affected the
whole of society.
After the
unrest of 2020 (e.g. Covid, justice Issues, Brexit) I believe that God wants us
as sons and daughters of God, as ‘anointed ones’, to bring healing to people’s whole
beings, meeting their spiritual, psychological, physical and relational needs
through the Good News. We can preach and demonstrate the year of the Lord’s
favour. This will happen through what we say, how we serve, through providing a
listening ear, offering prayer and supplying access to healing communities.
One of the
things we are looking to provide this year is a regular healing clinic for the
community where people can share their needs and receive healing, prophetic
word, a listening ear and practical help. It is time for the nations in London,
the UK and the world, to say, ‘…Let us go up to ….the house of …God… and He
will teach us His ways’ (Isaiah 2: 2 – 4).
