Shaken

Do you ever take small area rugs outside and shake them to get rid of the litter? It’s a good process to shake off the debris. But can you picture yourself being shaken like a rug? That’s not a pleasant prospect. I suppose sometimes it’s necessary, though, to get rid of junk that has accumulated in our hearts and minds. And we all need a thorough cleaning. Maybe God’s vacuum cleaner would work better.

But that’s not the kind of shaking I want to address today. I’m thinking of how often we let the circumstances of life shake us to the core. We can be devastated by the loss of a loved one, financial difficulties, family conflict, war or other horrible world catastrophes. Have you been there? Are you or someone you know going through that rough time now? Not that we don’t have feelings or are oblivious to the facts of life. But should they undo us?

I often marvel at the psalmist’s optimism in the face of the horrible, earthshaking events surrounding him. But over and over we read the phrase, “I will not be shaken.” Here are some examples.

Psalm 16:8 – “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Psalm 62:2 – “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Psalm 125:1 – “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”

Do you catch the idea? The key? What makes it possible to stand firm in the midst of life’s storms? Standing on the solid rock. Trusting the reliable One. Focusing on the Lord who is never shaken. Is that your daily pattern? Or do you need a little shaking in order to get rid of distractions and focus on Him?

Remember this old song? “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand” ((Edward Mote). Is that where your feet are securely planted?