No Shaking!!!

I always assumed the phrase “No Shaking” was invented by some political godfather, some motor park chieftain, labour leader, student activist, or other rabble rouser confident of his survivalist skills. Then I saw this quote in Hebrews 12: 27-28, “Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear.” Surprise, Surprise! Did God invent the phrase? Now naturally I had to read this bible verse more closely. What is the verse saying? Are there some things that can be shaken, and those that cannot be shaken? What are the ones that can be shaken, and which are the ones which can’t be?

Since I saw the quote above in a New Kings James Bible, I turned to the Amplified Version to get a detailed view. The Amplified Bible said, “Now this expression, Yet once more, indicates the final removal and transformation of all (that can be) shaken-that is, of that which has been created-in order that what cannot be shaken may remain and continue. (Ps. 102:26.) Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe.” Since there was a reference to Psalm 102:26, I quickly checked that out as well, also in the Amplified-“They shall perish, but You shall remain and endure; yes, all of them shall wear out and become old like a garment. Like clothing You shall change them, and they shall be changed and pass away. But You remain the same, and your years shall have no end. (Heb. 1: 10-12.)”

Another cross reference to Hebrews, so I checked out Hebrews 1: 10-12, “And (further), You Lord, did lay the foundations of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but You remain and continue permanently; they will all grow old and wear out like a garment. Like a mantle (thrown about one’s self) You will roll them up, and they will be changed and replaced by others. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end nor come to failure. (Ps. 102: 25-27.). In Hebrews 1, Apostle Paul was clearly referring to Jesus Christ, our Lord. In verse 2, he had said, “…in the person of a Son, Whom He appointed, Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds…”

What is the meaning of all this? What are the things that can be shaken? Things which were created! That includes Satan, doesn’t it? Of course, Lucifer was created, so he will be shaken away. What of your human and spiritual enemies? Those who have sworn that you will not achieve your destiny, except over their dead body? Of course, they too were created and would pass away? The MacArthur Study Bible explains this verse thus, “Everything physical (“things…being shaken”) will be destroyed; only eternal things (“which cannot be shaken”) will remain. So what things cannot be shaken? Our faith in Christ is not physical! Our salvation is not physical. The power in the blood of Jesus is not physical. Our promise of eternal life is not physical. Our victory over the kingdom of darkness is not physical. God’s covenants-of protection, provision, deliverance etc are not physical. His grace, his forgiveness, his mercy, his compassion, his restoration all of which never fail are not physical. So they can never be shaken!

Why is this so? Because our God himself cannot be shaken. He was, is and will for ever be. Like the beautiful song says, “Ancient of days, as old as You are,,….You will never change!”. Another of my favourite songs based on Isaiah 25:1 declares, “…Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” How can he that created the earth and fixed its beacons as he liked, be shaken? Surely, Never! That is why verse 28 counsels us to relate with this God who has given us an unshakeable faith with awe, reverence and godly fear. So next time, the devil and his agents come and threaten you at night or even during the day with fear, death, destruction, or any other attack, tell them, No Shaking!!!

Opeyemi Agbaje