Umbrella Shifts

“And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified who delights in the prosperity of His servant”” Psalm 35:27 NASB

Prosperity –  When you read this verse, do you see dollars floating down from heaven?  Doesn’t it say that God delights in our prosperity?  Does that mean that “good” Christians will be rewarded with wealth, health and happiness?  The choice of “prosperity” for the Hebrew shalom certainly seems to send us in this direction.  The NIV choice of “well-being” is a little broader but might make us think along the same lines.  The problem is the umbrella of meanings behind shalom.  If we’re not careful, we’ll end up with a money-tree god.

Shalom does have a nuance of prosperity and well-being.  But that is not its major thrust.  Shalom is about a state of wholeness.  It is a relationship word, not an accumulation word.  Of the more than 250 occurrences, it is translated 213 times by the word “peace”.  That does not mean its about war and peace.  It means that this word is about restored relationships, especially the restored relationship with God.  It’s about harmony and fulfillment on the inside.  We can see this in the fact that shalom was the standard greeting of the day between people.  It had the same role as the answer to our question. “How are you today?”   We expect to hear “Fine” or “Good”.  We would be shocked to have someone respond, “Rich” or “Wealthy.”  Shalom is the summary word of what God intends between God and Man and, as it spills over, between men.  You can see this in Numbers 6:24-25 where Aaron’s blessing associates shalom with being guarded and treated graciously as a divine gift.

David’s psalm is a complaint against his enemies.  It’s not an appeal for accumulation.  It’s not a request for power.  It’s an invitation for God’s love in his personal relationship.  David cries out, “Judge me, God, according to Your lovingkindness” (verse 24).  Don’t judge me according to the standard of holiness.  If you do, I am toast.  Judge me on the basis of your mercy.  Bring me into fellowship with you because you love me, not because I deserve it.  I don’t deserve it.  But love me anyway.  And when you do bring me into your arms in spite of who I am, then I will truly know that you delight in shalom for me.

Is this prosperity?  Shout “YES!”  Don’t be confused.  Prosperity is not dollar signs.  It’s deep peace with the one who judges me.