Shaken

Text: Hebrews 12:18-28

Theme: When the heavens and earth are shaken, only God’s Kingdom and His true worshipers will be remain unshaken.

Key verses: “You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai” (v. 18). “No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering…You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things…You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness…Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!” (v. 22-25). “‘Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.’ This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is devouring fire” (v. 26b-29).

What God said to me: Dwayne, be careful. That’s the heart of the warning in this passage. I didn’t let the Israelites of the hook, and I certainly won’t overlook you. They had the old covenant, represented by the frightening elements of Mt. Sinai. Their fear should have motivated them to follow my commandments, but for many of them it did not. They still turned away. But you have been given my new covenant, a covenant of grace and mercy and love. You get to come right into my throne room; you get to come to Jesus himself and abide in him. If the people of Israel did not escape my judgment, how much more will you be held accountable if you turn away despite all the love and mercy I have shown to you? Yes, I am a God of grace. But when all is said and done, all that will matter is if you followed my Son and reverenced him with your lives. Worship me with holy fear and awe–for in the end true worshipers are the only ones who will be left standing; all else will be shaken and removed. Meditate on that, Dwayne, for a long time. Let it soak into your soul. Fear me, love me, obey me, thank me–ie., worship me. That is your ultimate goal in this life.

What I said to God: Most holy Lord and God, You are my King Eternal, Perfect in the Heavens, and Lord over all the earth. You are the Righteous One, who is worthy to be feared and worthy of all worship. Father, I adore You; lay my life before You; how I love You. Please help me love You more and more. Help me never stop growing in my adoration and fear and awe of You. Forgive me when I grow complacent or allow my flesh to rule me. I choose to die to myself today and be alive in Your presence. Fill me and use me today. And when all the world and the heavens are shaken, may I be found worshiping You in reverence and awe.