“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks,
by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe;
for indeed our God is a consuming fire.”
(Hebrews 12:28-29 NRSV)
Does it seem that the whole world is filled with things that are shaking? Economies, relationships, political alliances, even weather and natural phenomena seem to be shaking the earth at this time.
Listen to our prayer, O God. Do not ignore our cries for help!
Please listen and answer us, for we are overwhelmed by our troubles.
Your enemies shout at us and make loud and wicked threats.
Our hearts pound in our chests and the terror of death assaults us.
Fear and trembling can overwhelm us and we can’t stop shaking.
Oh, that we had wings like a dove so we could fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness to rest.
How quickly we would like to escape— far from this wild storm of hatred. (adapted from Psalm 55:1-8 NLT)
And sometimes we’d like to “shake some sense” into the so-called “leaders” of the world who seem especially inept and unworthy of the era we live in. Whether they are just inadequate or are truly evil, their decisions have resounding impact upon the nations of the world. But God knows what is going on.
The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations
and thwarts all their schemes.
But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken. (Psalm 33:10-11 NLT)
No matter what the world – or even our individual “worlds” – look like, God’s plans stand forever.
So, we remember the GOD who created the earth, which is firm and cannot be shaken. We remember and then we worship. We can tremble before God in awe and wonder, but not wonder about Who is in control.
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him.
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. (1 Chronicles 16:29-30 NLT)
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. (Psalm 16:8 NLT)
The writer of Hebrews 12:27 warns us that “whatever can be shaken (in the last days) will be shaken,” – a removal or transformation of earthly things so that only what God has created will remain. But we, as adopted children of the Most High God, dearly loved and grafted onto the Vine of Jesus Christ, are of his Kingdom! We are not of the earthly, shakeable realm, but of the unshakeable Eternal Kingdom. No matter how crazy the world gets, or even how awful our life circumstances are, our identity and our security in Christ cannot be shaken. We are his, bought with a price, and sealed by the covenant blood of Christ into his family.
We are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken because God is faithful.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV)
Consuming Fire, God,
Thank you that your Word is true and you have called us to be a part of an unshakeable spiritual Kingdom here on earth. We thank you that all your plans are perfect and cannot be shaken. We thank you and worship you with reverence and awe for who you are and how you love us. Remind us when the world seems totally crazy, out of control, and badly shaken, that we are members of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. May your Church around the world be bold in working for your Justice and Truth and caring for those whose lives seem to be shaking. We pray in Jesus’ name that you would frustrate the plans of the wicked, thwart all their schemes, and supernaturally protect those who are in harm’s way. Amen.
“For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.” (Psalm 33:4 NRSV)