Bible Text: Isaiah 28:14-22, Psalm 46, Hebrews 12:15-29, Luke 13:22-30 | Preacher: Fr. Jim Cheetham | Coping with Earth-Shattering Events

Psalm 46 is believed to have been written during the Assyrian invasion. The events were so traumatic that the psalmist describes the seas boiling, mountains – places of refuge- as falling into the sea. He is describing the times of our lives when everything we cling to is seems to be wrenched from our grasp.

Why does God allow us to go through these life shattering events? In Hebrews chapter 12 the writer quotes the prophet of Haagi who speaks to the shaking of the temporal things to bring into the focus the eternal things that cannot be shaken. Temporal things do not last – it is their nature to be temporary. Those who cling to temporal things will be swept away when they are taken away.

Our circumstances are also temporal – they too will pass. Though they may seem overwhelming they will pass and our source of hope and refuge is God. Though all other forms of security may fall away God will ALWAYS remain. We must look past the temporal to the eternal help.

How do we know that the kingdom od God is unshakable? Jesus the chief corner stone is the same yesterday today forever. He has ALREADY died, He is ALREADY risen, He is ALREADY seated at the right hand of God. Jesus is the external answer to all of our temporal troubles.

When the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us we must lay hold of Jesus, the foundation stone of our faith . God invites us, in the midst of the shaking, to “Be Still and know I am God”. If you are going through a time of shaking, let the temporal things fall away so that we can lay claim that which is eternal – salvation through Jesus Christ.