Growing up and living in Southern California, I was accustomed to the occurrence of earthquakes. In a strange way, it became somewhat normal if that's really possible.
But you can't anticipate or adequately prepare for an earthquake. They can be predicted to some extent but they hit without immediate warning.
This is true of how our life can get unexpectedly shaken in other ways. Economic problems, a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a loved one, or a broken relationship, any of these can shake us to our core.
When our life gets rocked without warning—and it will—it's devastating. It can either paralyze us or motivate us to seek more solid footing for our life.
Scripture
When God spoke to your ancestors, his voice shook the earth. But now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the sky.”
The words once more show clearly that God will change what he has made. These are the things that can be shaken. Then only the things that cannot be shaken will remain. [vss 26-27]
Therefore, we must be thankful that we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Because we are thankful, we must serve God with fear and awe in a way that pleases him. After all, our God is a destructive [consuming or devouring] fire. [vss 28-29]
(Hebrews 12:26-29 GW) [Context– Hebrews 12]
Key phrase—
Therefore, we must be thankful that we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What does God promise will happen again?
What will be shaken and changed? What will continue on and remain?
How are believers to respond to this shaking that will come?
What are believers to be thankful for and what should this motivate us to do?
Reflection...
When the Lord Jesus went back up to heaven after His resurrection, He promised to return. When He returns, things will change and the world will be shaken.
What once seemed permanent and unshakeable will be shaken. This speaks of what is tangible—what can be seen and felt—the earth and atmosphere we know as the world.
Our assurance to endure the shaking that will come is only found in the unshakeable nature of the Kingdom of God and the eternal and unchanging nature of God.
Fire isn't just destructive to what is physical, it also purifies what is precious and enduring, like with precious metals. The "consuming fire" of God burns what is tangible but purifies what is eternal in nature.
If we try to hold on to what can be shaken, we'll be holding on to a false security. But when we hold firmly to the Lord through faith, we gain a security that can never be shaken or destroyed.
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
How is the shaking that is to come connected to the shaking of the dark mountain of Mt Sinai?
When has your life been shaken in unexpected ways and how did you handle it?
Do you have the assurance and security of trusting in God's unshakeable kingdom and nature?
Are you holding on to Jesus more firmly than the things you know could change and be shaken?
©2017—Word-Strong
Here's a free introduction for the book of Hebrews— Intro to studying Hebrews