Unsure Ground

Shaken Confidence

Of all the various kinds of natural disasters which can befall man, few have the same terrifying psychological impact as an earthquake. While a hurricane can be incredibly destructive, the mind can connect the powerful wind with the great storm and modern science can warn those in the storm’s path. Floods can arise quickly and with little warning, but are still at least mentally connected with great rainfall. However, man is accustomed to trusting in terra firma to remain firm and steadfast. When the very ground betrays us and begins to shake, it can destroy not only our property but also our nerves.

Common Thinking

This trust in our physical world to remain firm and steadfast is very common to the thinking of man. We believe that what we build should stand indefinitely and the things that we keep and own will be the very lifeblood of our existence. How different one’s attitude can be when all those things are shaken, damaged, or destroyed in a few short moments.

This trust is, of course, not limited to man’s physical existence. The reality is that many people spiritually (assuming they even consider such a thing) believe themselves to be standing on very stable ground. Their justifications are commonly built upon their own “good” behavior or sense of self worth. None of these “structures” can withstand even a fraction of the force which will one day shake not just a city, but the entire earth.

A Stronger Structure

While no physical structure actually exists that can perfectly withstand the great force of a major earthquake, the same is not true spiritually. Christians are part of a kingdom, through Christ, which “cannot be shaken” (Heb. 12:28, NASU). We know not to trust in what lies beneath our feet, but in the One who is able to “perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish” us (1 Pet. 5:10).

There have been a number of different disasters including earthquakes in recent years, as there will continue to be in this fallen world. The lives that were not lost will still never be the same after such tragedies. Imagine the surprise that will be felt by billions one day, when the spiritual ground beneath them begins to shake apart. How many will we have helped secure their hearts “without blame in holiness before our God and Father”? (1 Thes. 3:13).