The Shaking of God

“For this is what the Lord of armies says: ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord of armies.” (Haggai 2:6–7)

“And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.’ This expression, ‘Yet once more,’ denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.” (Hebrews 12:26–27)

God says there will be a shaking. This is not just talking about earthquakes, storms, or disasters. It is the tearing down of what looks solid but is not. Nations that seem unshakable will fall. Governments that claim power will crumble. Wealth that appears secure will vanish. Even people’s personal worlds—health, plans, and dreams—can shake in a moment.

But notice why God does this. The shaking has a purpose. It is not random. God strips away what is temporary to show us what is eternal. He exposes false foundations so that we see clearly what cannot be moved. He allows us to feel how weak our grip is on the things of this world, so we will grab hold of Him instead.

Think about it—how many people trust in money? Yet Proverbs 23:5 says, “When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” Wealth can be shaken. How many people trust in human leaders? Yet Psalm 146:3 warns, “Do not trust in noblemen, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.” Leaders can be shaken. Even our own strength fails, as Isaiah 40:30 reminds us: “Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly.” Strength can be shaken.

But not everything can be shaken. God’s kingdom is eternal. “Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice.” (Psalm 45:6) His Word cannot be broken. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) And Christ remains unchanging. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

So when God shakes, He is pointing us to the only safe ground. The shaking does not mean God has lost control. It means He is fully in control, and He is reminding us that His kingdom is the only kingdom that will last.

For the believer, this should not bring fear but confidence. Shaking strips away what cannot hold us anyway. It removes false hope. It draws us back to the Rock of Ages. The shaking that unsettles the world steadies the child of God, because we are being prepared for a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

When the world shakes, remember this: the shaking is not the end. It is God’s way of clearing the stage for what is eternal. Hold fast to Christ, because He will remain when everything else falls.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.

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“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)