An Unshakeable Kingdom
Open Your Bible
Hebrews 12:18-29, Isaiah 62:6-12, Ephesians 1:18-23
BY Kasey Moffett
Scripture is a treasure chest of transition words: but, therefore, instead, yet, and so. God’s story is a metanarrative, the movements of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Our God loves to tell the story of breathing life into dead bones.
The book of Hebrews especially spends considerable time comparing the wrath of God with the salvation of Jesus in our new covenant. If you were with us during the Exodus study, you might remember reading the first-hand account of what this passage of Hebrews is describing. Moses and the Israelites were saved from bondage and brought to Mount Sinai. God gave them the Ten Commandments and law at the foot of that mountain. He was establishing an earthly kingdom in the promised land.
God knows that our hearts are bent toward wickedness. He is a good God to tell us the truth about our situation. He exposes our need for His mercy and grace by showing up at Mount Sinai with the law.
A transition word comes next: instead. “Instead, you have come to Mount Zion” (Hebrews 12:22). What is at the foot of this mountain? Take a moment to re-read these verses: Hebrews 12:22–24.
Can you feel the tension released, the exhale, in this gospel message?
The Old Testament prophesied about the new covenant and Mediator that was to come (Isaiah 62:11). Our God placed the wrath of Mount Sinai on our Jesus so that we can be secure in our salvation. God has given us a kingdom that cannot be shaken! As the reading today points out, this truth should invoke us to be thankful. This thanksgiving can produce the fruit of obedience, peace in a troubled world, contentment in various circumstances, and awe of our merciful God.
34 thoughts on "An Unshakeable Kingdom"
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Praying for you! Praying you will have enough strength to visit your daughter Margaret W!
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I will pray for you,Margaret W, and your trip to Manhattan for Thanksgiving!
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Amen! I am so thankful for this community of women!
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I doo ok my want the knowledge that we are under this new covenant to become old news. I want this reality to still fill me with wonder and awe. I love that nothing can shake this kingdom, no matter how crazy this world gets, we have a sure foundation in Christ.
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When talking about shaking, strangely I envision a house in a cartoon scene, that is grabbed and turned upside down by a bigger character, to see if the smaller character will fall off, usually the furniture will come out first. The Bible says the Lord is a foundation, a sure one that has been tested (Isaiah 28:16: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic). If a house is turned upside down by some force, what will fall out? If anything is fastened onto the sure foundation, it will be anchored if shaken violently. In these last days, as the prophecy of God has stated, He will allow tremendous shaking, even powers of Heaven will shake, let alone powers on earth- already started shaking left and right (Luke 21:26). Let us be fastened to the foundation of God and His Word, so as we won’t fall away. Heavens and earth will pass away, but my Word will not pass away (Matthew 24:35). Paul prayed for us in 2 Thessalonians 2: 2 that we will not be shaken in the mind or be troubled in the spirit as that the day of the Lord is at hand. May us be reminded of what’s perishable and what’s not. The day is ordained and at hand, we just don’t know exactly, however the sign will be revealed to those who keep watch. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36 KJV). Be blessed dear sisters.
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Today it is a bit easier to be thankful, as I have escaped my daily routine for a couple of hours to sit beside a lovely waterfall and read this devotional and wander around in the beauty of falling leaves. I grew up too far south to see this spectacle as a child, so it fills me with wonder every year. Yesterday’s passage spoke of strengthening weak knees. My arthritis has been so bad it has had me in tears this week. I fear I will not be able to visit my daughter in Manhattan for Thanksgiving. I covet your prayers for this trip, but I know God has everything under control whether He chooses to heal me now or not. Today, I choose to focus on praising Him, because He is good, no matter what.
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Me too!
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Churchmouse- I too struggle with transistions and change. But like you, so thankful for the new covenant and the saving grace of Jesus.
Tina- Thank you <3
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