“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe . . .”
~ Hebrews 12:28 ~
Life here on earth is uncertain. Tomorrow’s troubles are unknown. This is always the reality of life under the sun. But we truly felt it this past year. It was palpable. It was constantly on the forefront of our minds. It was all over the news and in our newsfeeds. We couldn’t deny it, downplay it, ignore it, or forget it. Life is constantly changing, and changing faster and faster every year. We’re uncertain of what tomorrow, next month, or next year will hold. What will our country look like in the future? What kind of world will our children grow up in? How can I be thankful in a season where my heart is so anxious about the future? Uncertainty isn’t our new normal; it’s simply a normal part of life.
Though storms rage on and waves relentlessly crash around us, we have a ballast that stabilizes us—a robust hope that transcends the uncertainty of this world. Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His kingdom literally cannot be shaken. Our salvation is eternally secure. Even if the world as we know it crumbles to dust around us, we have good reason to remain confident and thankful. Which is better? A world that is visible yet vanishing? Or, a kingdom that is invisible yet invincible? To persevere in gratitude, we must cling to what is truly unshakeable. If we build our lives and bank our hope on the shifting sands of this fleeting world, our thankfulness will also be shifting and fleeting. But if we focus on what we know to be certain, fixed, and stable, our gratitude will be steadfast. God is worthy of our attention, affections, and adoration because he is holy and unchanging. May our thankfulness flow out of our worship, reverence, and awe for the Lord Jesus Christ. He has made us a part of his unshakeable kingdom. In a world full of uncertainty, we should be most thankful for what is most secure.