God has ways of shaking the world when He is up to something big. For example, He literally caused the ground to quake when Jesus died on the cross and also after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit emboldened Christ’s followers to spread the gospel (Matt. 27:51; Acts 4:31). There was nothing coincidental about the seismic activity that accompanied those two events. They were none-too-subtle messages from God: Pay attention because important things are happening!
Today, the ground may not physically move, but the Lord is certainly doing some shaking. Political alliances, financial systems, and ethical standards are all being allowed to wobble. We are seeing the flimsiness and decay of structures upon which we’ve based our national pride and hope. Even personal lives are not immune to shock waves. Families are in crisis, and many marriages are buckling. Sadly, people have too often built lives on the weak cornerstones of their human wisdom, goodness, and ingenuity. But there is only one secure foundation: Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11).
God always has a purpose for allowing upheaval in His ordered creation. Among other things, He is shaking the church out of apathy and self-focus, reminding us not to trust in the temporary structures of this world. Rather, we are to rest upon the firm foundation of God’s steadfast love and salvation.
As the Lord’s ambassadors on earth—and the only ones standing on firm ground—we have a responsibility to offer real hope to those whose foundation is unstable. No job, government, or even religion can give a person long-term security. A relationship with Christ is the only lasting refuge.
Bible in a Year: Job 9-12
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