We live in a world of great shaking. Literally and figuratively, things move with great force. Over 500,000 earthquakes take place each year and as terrible as they are, people experience personal shaking which seems much worse. Cancer, Aids, financial ruin, unimaginable accidents, and the death of loved ones, blindside the unsuspecting. Right when the sky is blue and the bank account is full, trouble comes.
“When trouble comes to your door, introduce it to Jesus Christ”, is what I often tell the church I pastor. No matter what level of seismic activity in our lives, “we have an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast”. (Hebrews 6:19) Earlier in Hebrews we read that God spoke to humanity in His Son. “He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and uphold all things by the word of His power.” (Hebrews 1:3) The analogy of an anchor is apt when storms surround us, but our anchor is not to the ground, but holds us heavenward. He, Jesus, “upholds all things by the word of His power”.
In Jesus Christ we are receiving “a kingdom which cannot be shaken”. (Hebrews 12:28) Yes, the world around us could be shaking, but because our anchor is the Son of God, we have assurance that we are safe.
The writer of Hebrews gives us a caution “not to refuse Him who is speaking”. (Hebrews 12:25) We only hurt ourselves by figuratively put our fingers in our ears. Jesus is our high priest (Hebrews 3:1-6), the only mediator between God and man (Hebrews 9:15), our example (Hebrews 12:1-3), our great shepherd (Hebrews 13:20), and he doesn’t change (Hebrews 13:8).
No matter the problem, sin, or pain, we are wise to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”. (Hebrews 12:2) So “let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name”. (Hebrews 12:15)
The flesh may say, “I can’t praise God right now. It’s too hard.” He understands and loves us even when those thoughts come, but doubts disappear in the midst of our praise!
Paul the apostle knew a little about this. “Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.” (2 Corinthians 11:24, 25) He goes on to tell us about more shaking that he endured and he also said, “we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
The truth is that we live in a fallen world where trouble rains down on all. The difference is that those who anchor their lives to Jesus Christ make it through the temporary struggles in the safety of his care.
Shaking may happen at any moment but that doesn’t intimidate those who place their trust in God.
No one knows better than God how we feel and that is precisely why we worship him while storms batter against us. “We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll, fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.” (We Have An Anchor-Public Domain) We appreciate your Comments
