A Time of Great Shaking
“Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.” (Hebrews 6:7-8)
I am struck with a powerful, inner feeling that the global events of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; the literal ‘shaking of everything that can be shaken’, are physical, tangible warning signs. Warning signs of a great movement in the spiritual realm as God is moving to bring a righteous judgment upon all nations. Think with me a moment in this.
In Leviticus 18:24,25, God says, “Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.” I do believe that we are on that very threshold today. The ‘land’, the very earth is trembling and convulsing. If you look back at the verses preceding the ones quoted here, you find a strong indictment against sexual sins. There is no need to get hung up on individual details, to restrict our understanding to a few ‘sins’ listed. The point of the passage is to point out the overall, pervasive atmosphere of moral depravity.
Throughout the world, and especially here in the United States, this is the very atmosphere we live in. The closing words of the book of Judges read, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” (Judges 21:25) Also, in 2 Timothy 3:1-4, we read: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self- control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God–having a form of godliness but denying its power…”
Such an indictment can be laid at our feet today. We can rationalize, justify, defend ourselves all we want; however, we cannot ignore or refute the absolute truth. God has shown us what is good and pleasing to Him: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
It is, as I see it, exactly this failure that has moved us to the brink of collapse. God says in our opening passage that the land that is not fruitful is in ‘danger of being cursed’, in danger of being destroyed.
BUT, there is hope in the face of global shaking.
This hope comes in the form of repentance. “In repentance and rest is your salvation.” (Isaiah 30:15). The acknowledgment our way is wrong and turning away from it to come back into the heart of God.
However, I strongly suggest there is more than that. Many say, and believe, that if they repent and get right with God; then, they are free to do whatever it is they want. But, there is more. Luke 3:8 states: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance…”
We are called to produce ‘fruit’. And, this is where the hope of our word today. Listen carefully–God desires we live a fruitful life. A FRUIT-FULL LIFE. And, God, by His divine power, brings to us EVERYTHING we need to have that life.
What King Solomon, so long ago, heard and spoke from God is as true today as then: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from the their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.” (emphasis mine) God does not desire to strike the land with a curse. He loves this earth and all who live upon it. The whole earth is filled with His GLORY, and He desires for that glory to be manifested. BUT, we are called to partner with Him, to walk with Him, to embrace His ways and not our own.
Simply put, we are called to love what God loves. It is as simple as that. Here is what the Lord says:
“The whole earth is shaking. You see this, you feel this, you cannot deny this or hide from it. I have told you I would once more shake this earth; and more, I would shake the heavens also. I told you I would pour out wonders in the heavens and signs on the earth. THIS IS THAT DAY,” declares the Lord.
“For all that can be shaken is being shaken, so that only that which is of My Kingdom, My UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM will remain.”
“Come to Me, My People. Come with thanksgiving for the shaking of the kingdoms of men. Come with the spirit of repentance and humility. With reverence and awe, the FEAR OF THE LORD, come. For, I AM a consuming fire”
“Remove your shoes from your feet–all ego, vanity, pride– for the very land you stand upon is HOLY GROUND. Come and worship. Through the Blood of the Eternal Lamb, King Jesus-come and WORSHIP. For, I AM moving with great power to cause the nations to fall before Me. I AM moving with great power to bring in a GREAT HARVEST, for everyone who calls upon My Name SHALL BE SAVED.”
“Therefore, Beloved, drink deeply MY RAIN. Do you not understand that My Rain is already falling? It is the steady pouring out of My Spirit upon you. It is My Life within you. My Living Water is already flowing deep within. It is the deep well from which I invite you to drink. It is this Living Water that brings forth the fruit, the Fruit of My Righteousness. My Rain shall nourish you, and empower you in these days of great shaking. Drink deeply of Me, and find the joy of My salvation for the days ahead.”
The Lord says, “Do not fear these days of great shaking. Rise up in FAITH, and do not give in to the voices of fear; for, I AM calling you forth in this hour to be My Glory upon this land.”
“I do not give this call to all men; but, to My SONS. See, I have established My Throne within you. Here I have set the soles of My feet. The foundation of My Throne is righteousness and justice and I call you to build upon that foundation.”
“Therefore, Rise up! Seek first My Kingdom. Seek My ways with all your heart, mind, and strength. Love and faithfulness go before Me; therefore, let My Love go before YOU, and My Faith be FULL in and through YOU.”
“By My Spirit, I AM opening your eyes and you shall SEE what I AM doing that you may also do these works. I AM unstopping your ears and loosening your tongue. You shall HEAR My Voice clearly and shall release My Voice with authority and power; for, you are to BE My Voice bringing HEALING to the very land that is shaken and torn.”
“This I AM doing by My Spirit,” says the Lord. “Drink Deeply at this Well. Taste and see that I AM good. It is for this hour I have brought you here, and you will not fail in that which I have called you. My Kingdom is UNSHAKABLE, and you are SONS of the KINGDOM. Do not fear, I AM with you.”