December 24th - the Shaking Nations

The God Who Shakes Nations

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the Lord Almighty." (Haggai 2:6-7)

Have you ever experienced an earthquake? The ground beneath your feet, which usually feels so stable and trustworthy, suddenly becomes unstable and uncertain. It's a powerful reminder that even the things we consider most reliable can be shaken. In this passage, God promises to shake not just the earth, but the heavens as well - a cosmic disruption that would herald the coming of something extraordinary.

The people of Israel had returned from exile and were rebuilding the temple, but they were discouraged. The new temple seemed insignificant compared to Solomon's magnificent structure. Yet God's message through Haggai wasn't about physical grandeur - it was about something far more profound. He was promising a shaking that would prepare the way for "what is desired by all nations" - a reference many scholars believe points to the coming of the Messiah.

During Advent, we remember that God's greatest works often come through disruption. The birth of Jesus certainly shook the world - a king born in a manger, God becoming human, the mighty brought low and the humble lifted up. This divine disruption continues to reshape our understanding of power, glory, and God's presence among us.

Just as the rebuilt temple would be filled with God's glory, we too are now temples of the Holy Spirit. The same God who shakes nations desires to transform us from within. This Advent season invites us to consider: Are we ready to be shaken? Are we willing to let God disrupt our comfortable patterns and expectations to make way for His glory?

Further Reading:

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.' Therefore, 'Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.'" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 6:16-17)

Ask the Following Questions:

1. What areas of your life feel too comfortable or settled, possibly needing God's gentle shaking to make room for something new?

2. How does knowing that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit change the way you think about God's presence in your daily life?

3. In what ways might God be calling you to stand out or "be separate" from the world's patterns during this Advent season?

Prayer:

Lord of heaven and earth, you are the God who shakes nations and transforms hearts. During this Advent season, help us to welcome your divine disruption in our lives. Shake loose anything that prevents us from fully experiencing your presence. Make us ready vessels for your glory, just as you prepared the way for Jesus' first coming. Give us courage to stand firm in our faith even as you shake the foundations around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.