When the Earth Shakes, What Remains Unshaken?
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” — Hebrews 12:28
In recent months, powerful earthquakes have struck the Philippines, Venezuela, Japan, Colombia, and today (8/15/2026) in Indonesia. The latest, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake near Flores Island, struck early Saturday morning local time, damaging communities and taking lives. When so many disasters appear in our news within such a short period, it is natural to remember Jesus’ words about “famines and earthquakes in various places.”
When we hear such news, we may remember Jesus’ words:
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” — Matthew 24:7–8
Jesus did not give these words so that his followers could calculate the date of his return. In fact, he also said, “See that you are not alarmed” and “the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6). Earthquakes, wars, famines, and suffering remind us that our world remains broken and that creation is still groaning as it awaits its final redemption.
An earthquake is especially unsettling because it moves what we normally consider immovable. We may protect ourselves from rain, wind, heat, and cold, but where can we stand when the ground itself begins to shake? Earthquakes confront us with an uncomfortable truth: many things upon which we depend—our homes, health, possessions, plans, and human institutions—are not as permanent as they appear. Calamity may hit without giving any advanced notice.
Yet Scripture directs our attention to something that cannot be shaken. Hebrews tells us that believers are “receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). Governments change, buildings fall, economies fluctuate, and even the earth moves beneath our feet, but Jesus Christ remains the same. His promises do not collapse, his saving work cannot be undone, and his kingdom will endure forever.
How, then, should Christians respond to these recent tragedies? Not with panic or careless speculation, but with compassion, prayer, readiness, and hope. Let us pray for those who have lost family members and homes, for rescue and medical workers, for churches serving displaced communities, and for aid to reach those most in need.
When the earth shakes, we are reminded not to build our ultimate hope upon things that can be moved. Let us hold firmly to Christ, serve those who suffer, and live faithfully as we await his return. Everything around us may be shaken, but in Christ we belong to a kingdom that never will be.
Announcement:
Here is our weekly spotlight. Other church-wide announcements can be found in our weekly bulletin.
Prayer Request:
While we are praying for the victims of the earthquakes, we’d also be glad to pray for you. If you need prayer, you can submit your prayer request via the following link: