They are constantly in the news. Earthquakes of differing magnitudes reported from many areas around the planet. We have seen how devastating some of them are, as with the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile recently.

Their frequency and prominence in the news are fitting in with the forecasts made in the Bible about the last days of this age (eg. Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew chapter 24, verse 7Matthew chapter 24, verse 7).

But something that isn’t widely known is how important it is that we have them, along with volcanoes. Of course our obvious concern is the damage and loss of life they cause. We wonder if the fault lines are pointing to faults in God's creation.

Recycling

We all know about the way water is recycled through evaporation, rain, rivers and oceans. Working alongside this is a similar occurrence. Vital mineral compounds are recycled through the movements of tectonic plates and volcanoes, replenishing the surface of the earth's crust. Rather than occurring to take away life, they work to support life. The planet needs the movement.

Perhaps humans have not been wise and we should have heeded the warnings and moved away from fault lines and kept a distance from volcanoes.

Other things are shaking, too

With all our progress in recent history, we live with more insecurity than ever, so it seems. We can't control world economics, the fragile environment, international relationships and the inevitability of war. For countless people, the tentativeness of inter-personal relationships causes untold heartbreak. Where can we find constancy?

But there are things that cannot be shaken. People, who have taken the step of placing their full confidence in Jesus as Saviour, are aware of them. God Himself, His throne, His promises, His plan, can never be shaken. Think about these words from Hebrews chapter 12Hebrews chapter 12.

“God has promised: ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Seek Him, find Him, trust in Him, rest in Him.