Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. – Hebrews 12:28
The United States Geological Survey has recorded 97 “significant” earthquakes worldwide during 2024. To be deemed significant, they must have a combination of magnitude, the number of “Did You Feel It” responses, and the issuance of a PAGER alert—Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response. The most recent earthquakes have been in the Pacific Ocean, one on October 2 off Tonga, and another on October 18 off Tokyo. A number of earthquakes have occurred in the United States during the year, including in Alaska, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Nevada, Hawaii, New Mexico, and, of course, California. According to the USGS, the dynamic nature of Planet Earth, “including the movement of its tectonic plates, is a major cause of earthquakes.“
Earthquakes are nothing new. The Bible gives a record of them, and Jesus predicted that they would be present until the Last Days (Mark 13:8). In fact, their increase is to be seen as a warning. But our verse for today talks of a kingdom that cannot be shaken. The writer of Hebrews isn’t speaking of earthquakes but of the kinds of turmoil that comes as nations vie for power and lawlessness multiplies. “Again and again and again,” theologian John Piper says, “the Lord is warning us that it is coming. … He is shaking people awake to the reality of the instability of this world and the desirability of the unshakeable kingdom that he offers.”
Whether you live in Alaska, Texas, or California, as a follower of Jesus Christ you have been gifted with an unshakable kingdom. As Piper says, “An unshakable kingdom does not mean safety for the body in this world. It does not mean that we’ll escape the earthquake. It means that ‘neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord’” (Romans 8:38-39). And this is truly something to be thankful for! So rest in His love and give Him thanks and praise today.
Today’s Verse: Hebrews 12:28
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:31-39
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
