What Are We to Do with All This Shaking?

Seems hard to believe, but nearly 70 years ago Jerry Lee Lewis, described by some as rock ‘n roll’s first great wild man, recorded a hit called “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” That tune from 1957 was mostly about dancing and gyrating – something that horrified the older generation of the day. But have you noticed that these days there’s ‘a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on’ in our world, but it has little to do with dancing?

 

Political upheaval, protests, angry posturing by folks of every possible persuasion. The dream of one day achieving world peace now a seeming pipedream as almost daily a new global conflict unfolds. Meteorologists are more than happy to scare us with threats of earthquakes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, blizzards and other weather-related calamities.

 

Stock markets seem to rival the latest and greatest theme-park rollercoasters with their up-up-ups and down-down-downs, sometimes with little rhyme or reason to explain them other than the whims of sometimes anxious, sometimes opportunistic investors.

 

If that’s not enough ‘shaking,’ we have economic turmoil; prices defying the “what goes up must come down” mantra; rumors of another COVID-like pandemic waiting in the wings. You can probably add to this ominous list.

 

So, with all this shakin’ goin’ on, what are we to do? Wring our hands, gnash our teeth, and flinch every time another “Chicken Little” exclaims, “The sky is falling!”? That’s one option. But as we read the Scriptures we find there’s a much better one. 

 

If our trust is in government leaders, social systems, the so-called experts who pontificate from their various platforms, fear and hysteria seem justified. They all assure us the world is indeed going to hell in the proverbial handbasket, one that’s constantly shaking. But if our trust is in the eternal, unchanging God of the Bible, we have hope that isn’t just wishful thinking.

 

For those who are followers of Jesus Christ, “we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). Like the firm foundation of a house built to withstand earthquakes, hurricanes and other disasters, having a foundation built on the Word of God, His promises and His character can truly afford us the “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

 

I think of the classic hymn, “How Firm a Foundation,” written in 1787 by John Rippon. Its lyrics remind us, “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say that to you He hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?”

 

Even in churches where traditional hymns are still sung, some verses are typically omitted, perhaps in the interest of time. But for an older person like me, the hymn’s fifth verse can be especially encouraging: 

“E’en down to old age all My people shall prove

My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;

And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,

Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.”

 

The phraseology might seem foreign to our modern 21^st century minds, but the essence of Rippon’s lyrics is that no matter what storms or turbulence our lives may encounter, whatever deep waters or sorrows we may have to experience, the Scriptures promise us, “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

 

To assure us that unlike fashions, trends, technology and opinions, our God does not change, this same promise is repeated many times in the Scriptures, including Joshua 1:9, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 41:10 and 43:2, Matthew 28:20, and perhaps the most powerful statement of all, Romans 8:35-39, which says:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Chew on that for a while. Everything around us might seem to be shaking, but nothing can shake our faith if it’s anchored in the unshakable, unchanging truths of the God of all eternity. 

The Trouble with Building Sandcastles

During a recent vacation trip to Destin, Florida, we spent a lot of time on the beach. My days of soaking up rays and trying to achieve the world’s darkest tan are over, but I always enjoy watching the relentless waves crashing toward the shore. The unending ebb and flow of the tides is truly one of nature’s wonders.

One day I observed a man and woman building an extremely elaborate sandcastle. I’ve seen simple sandcastles many times, the product of a plastic bucket, toy shovel and water. But this sandcastle was something to behold, complete with arched gates, stairways along two sides, towers with pointed turrets, and of course, the requisite moat.

 

As I watch them, I discovered there are even specialized tools for creating sandcastles. Turned out these folks were working for a sand sculpture company that teaches beachgoers how to build sandcastles, demonstrating their skills at birthday parties and other special events. Who knew there was money to be made in sand?

 

Their work was meticulously detailed to make it appear the sandcastle had been constructed with tiny sand bricks. It was entertaining to watch how diligently and carefully they worked; I appreciate the myriad ways people manifest their creativity, and this was yet another example.

 

But as I observed their sand artistry, I couldn’t help thinking about Jesus Christ’s parable about two types of people – those who hear and obey His teachings, and those who don’t:

“…everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27).

 

Sandcastles can be pretty,
but they don't last.

When the man and woman had finished creating their marvel of a sandcastle, they left their creation to stand proudly all day for passersby to admire. The next morning, however, the sandcastle was gone. No trace remained to indicate it was ever there. Perhaps someone mischievously kicked it down, but more likely the advancing tides beat against it and eventually leveled it.

The sandcastle, as grand as it once appeared, was a metaphor for many of our lives – and society in general. Whether it’s an extensive education, a career, a thick investment portfolio, personal reputation, or many other things, they’re like building with sand. A strong wind or surging wave can bring any of them crashing down if they’re not anchored on the right things.

 

For many years our society seemed to be undergirded with a commonly understood Judeo-Christian ethic. Some decades ago, however, the powers that be deemed that was no longer necessary, that we didn’t need God. Kind of reminds me of the ancient Israelites, who had turned to the Lord in times of distress, but in times of prosperity determined they could do perfectly fine without Him. As it turned out, that didn’t work out very well for them.

 

I think of the refrain from the old hymn that’s rarely heard in most churches these days: “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” There’s a lot of truth to that, but many of us seem to have forgotten it.

Maybe it’s time – personally and collectively – that we re-examine our foundations. Are they built on the solid, steady, unshakable Rock, or are they teetering on sinking sand?