Our sovereign Father declares, “I will shake the heavens and the earth again and again—along with the sea and dry land. I will shake all nations until my glory fills my ultimate ‘house’—the new heaven and new earth.
Indeed, greater glory is coming than has ever been experienced at any time in my Temple or anywhere on earth. When I have finished my work of redemption, I will grant perfect and lasting shalom everywhere.” (Paraphrase of Haggai 2:6-9 with the work of the Messiah—God’s Son Jesus, in view).
“Surely the righteous will never be shaken… They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure; they will have no fear.” Psalm 112:6-8
Heavenly Father, to start with thank you for already declaring us righteous in Christ. That’s the reason the phrase, “the righteous will never be shaken” encourages us. It’s not our goodness but Jesus’ finished work that makes us yours. Secondly, thank you for reminding us that until Jesus returns, world history will be marked by a “whole lot of shaking going on”—but you are the Shaker. It’s why we are humble and hopeful at the same time.
Though the nations of the world keep on trying to build new versions of the Tower of Babel (Gen.11:1-9), like one of those big citrus tree shaking machines—you shake everything to remove the temporary, humble the nations, harvest the fruit, and prepare us for the Day you fill the earth with your glory. There is no lasting city here (Heb.13:14); but (Hallelujah!) the lasting City is barreling towards us with Jesus’ return (Rev.21:1-5).
Until you send Jesus back, grant us steadfast hearts in our circumstance stressing world. Free us to trust you more and vex less. Give us joy, love, and hope as we live more on mission and less in fear. So Very Amen.