Exploring Hope and Stability in Turbulent Times Through Hebrews 12:26-27
In a world marked by uncertainty and upheaval, the metaphor of “shaky ground” resonates more deeply than ever. Whether faced with political unrest, economic instability, shifting cultural norms, or personal struggles, society today often appears as if it stands atop trembling foundations. Our routines, relationships, careers, and aspirations can feel one moment secure and the next precarious, as if the ground beneath us has begun to shift. Yet, within these tremors, there is a timeless promise—one that echoes through scripture and offers a vision of hope and stability that transcends the temporary nature of all things.
“Yet Once More”: A Divine Promise of Stability
Hebrews 12:26-27 presents a powerful image: “Yet once more,” God declares, “I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, borrowed from the Old Testament prophecy of Haggai, draws upon the drama at Mount Sinai, where God’s presence caused the mountain to tremble and the people to stand in awe. In the New Testament, the scope of this shaking expands beyond the physical—reaching into the spiritual and cosmic realms. The writer of Hebrews interprets this act not as mere destruction, but as a divine reordering: the removal of all that is unstable, to reveal and establish a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Living on Unsteady Foundations
The experience of “shaky ground” is universal. It is the feeling of vulnerability when the structures we trust—be they economic systems, traditions, or relationships—begin to falter. Current events are replete with examples of such instability:
· Economic Fluctuations: Global markets rise and fall, jobs are gained and lost, and financial security can vanish overnight.
· Political Upheaval: Governments change, policies shift, and the future of nations can be uncertain, leaving citizens feeling powerless.
· Social and Cultural Change: Norms evolve, communities fragment, and what was once familiar may become strange and unfamiliar.
· Personal Crises: Illness, loss, and disappointment remind us that even our most cherished plans can be upended without warning.
In these moments, it is natural to seek something stable, something lasting that can withstand the shaking.
Biblical Context: From Sinai to Zion
Sinai: The Trembling Mountain
The reference to shaking in Hebrews is anchored in the Old Testament, where Mount Sinai quaked at God’s presence as the law was given to Moses. There, the boundaries between heaven and earth blurred; thunder, fire, and the voice of God struck awe and fear into all who witnessed them. Sinai was a place of law and distance—a physical mountain, a tangible sign of God’s power, and a reminder of the separation between humanity and the divine.
Zion: The Invitation to Approach
Hebrews contrasts the terror of Sinai with the welcome of Mount Zion, representing the gospel and the new covenant. Zion is not a physical place, but a symbol of the heavenly Jerusalem and the community of believers. Here, the invitation is open; all are beckoned to draw near to God without fear, through the mediating work of Christ.
The Meaning of the Shaking
Temporary Versus Permanent
The “shaking” described in Hebrews is not simply a cataclysm—it is a test and a purification. All that is created, all that is transient, is put to the test. What survives the shaking is what is eternal—what is of God, incorruptible, and unshakable. This process recurs throughout scripture, with the prophets speaking of God’s intent to “shake the heavens and the earth” (Haggai 2:6), not for destruction, but for the revelation of what truly matters.
The Unshakable Kingdom
After the shaking, what remains is the kingdom of God: the community of the redeemed, established not on human strength or merit, but on divine grace and promise. It is a spiritual society, whose foundations cannot be moved by the storms of life or the changes of this world. This unshakable kingdom is the ultimate hope—a reality that endures when all else fails.
Significance for Today’s Society
A Promise of Hope and Security
For believers, the assurance of an unshakable kingdom is a refuge in times of uncertainty. When the world trembles beneath us, the promise stands firm: after all that is shakable has fallen away, what remains is eternal, untroubled, and secure. This was true for the early Christians facing persecution and remains true today, offering courage to persevere and faith to endure.
Faithfulness and Reverence
The passage calls for worship “with reverence and godly fear,” recognizing that grace does not abolish God’s holiness. The God who shook Sinai is the same who welcomes us to Zion—the difference lies in Christ, the mediator of the new covenant, whose sacrifice invites mercy rather than judgment.
Mount Sinai and Mount Zion: Two Covenants Compared
· Mount Sinai: A place of law, fear, and outward holiness. Under the Mosaic covenant, even the righteous despaired without a savior.
· Mount Zion: A place of grace, invitation, and spiritual inheritance. The gospel is suited to human frailty, offering access to God’s presence and the privileges of the “first-born.”
Clinging to the fleeting pleasures and ambitions of the present world is to miss the essence of the unshakable kingdom. The gospel promises transformation—a turning away from pride, deceit, and earthly desires toward purity and heavenly joy.
The Mediator of the New Covenant
Christ stands as the bridge between God and humanity. His blood, like the sacrifices once sprinkled on the altar, is sprinkled on the conscience of the believer—cleansing, reconciling, and establishing a bond that cannot be broken. The invitation is gentle, not thunderous; to refuse it is to turn away from relationship and future hope.
Living on Shaky Ground: Everyday Implications
So what does this mean practically for those living in today’s society? It means learning to distinguish between what is fleeting and what is eternal, building life upon the foundation that cannot be moved.
· Relationships: Even the closest bonds can be tested, but the love God offers is constant—a source of stability when human affection falters.
· Career and Finances: Economic uncertainty is a reality, but God’s provision and care do not waver.
· Health: Bodies age, illness strikes, but the hope God gives is for everlasting life.
· Dreams and Plans: Not every aspiration will be fulfilled, but God’s purpose for each life is sure and trustworthy.
The message of “Yet once more” is not simply a prediction of doom, but a promise of hope—a declaration that God will shake the world so that only what is truly good and lasting remains.
How Should We Respond?
The text encourages a response of reverence and gratitude. Worship is not about ritual, but about awe for the enduring promise God has given. The warning is also clear: do not reject the invitation to the unshakable kingdom. The stakes are higher than ever; refusing God’s offer is to build upon shifting sand rather than solid rock.
Finding Solid Ground
Everyone faces “shaky ground” moments—a move, a loss, a new job, a crisis of faith. The Bible’s message is that, beneath all uncertainty, there is a foundation available to all. Stability, peace, and purpose are found not in the transient, but in the eternal gift God offers.
Conclusion: Confidence in the Shaking
“Yet once more” is both warning and assurance—a declaration that nothing built on the shifting sands of this world will endure, but that an unshakable kingdom awaits those who trust in God’s promise. For all who feel the tremors of life, this hope offers courage to step forward, faith to persevere, and joy to worship with gratitude.
No matter how unstable the ground beneath your feet, the invitation is open: step onto solid ground. Trust in the unshakable kingdom—a foundation that will hold you firm through every storm, every loss, and every change, now and for eternity.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 