He who will never be shaken

One of the last things Jesus taught his disciples before he ascended to heaven was concerning the end times. In Matthew 24:3 his disciples ask him: “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah,” and I will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nations will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:4-8).

In Luke 21:10-11 Jesus says about this time: Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Based on these scriptures, we see that the last days before Jesus return will be very dramatic for the people on earth. No nation will be unaffected by the disasters, wars and epidemics to come, and no government or authority will be able to help.

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he 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 that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:26-28).

All that will remain is what cannot be shaken.

He who will never be shaken

We will now look at what characterizes the one who will never be shaken.

In Psalm 15 David ask: “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? (Psalm 15:1).

David was not satisfied with being in the meeting tent from time to time. He wanted to stay in the Lord's presence. Neither was he satisfied with experiencing peaks and highlights in life. He wanted to build on the holy mountain.

Translated into our time, David would not have been satisfied by only attending the Sunday service in the local church. Neither would he be satisfied with experiencing a great conference or a Bible camp. He wanted to experience the Lord's presence constantly. David's desire is how the longing of the righteous ought to be, because we are called to live in fellowship with Jesus.

God always looks to the heart, and he saw that David’s longing came from the heart. The Lord replied by giving David ten points that characterizes he who will never be shaken.

“The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken” (Psalm 15:2-5).

1. The one whose walk is blameless.

The first time we read the term “walk blameless” in the Bible is in Genesis. “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless” Genesis 17:1. The preceding verse 16 says, “Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.”

In thirteen years, from Abram was eighty-six to he was ninety-nine, the heavens were silent. Abraham was God's friend, but Abram had entered a sidetrack in his walk with the Lord. He no longer walked before the Lord, because he had acted in disbelief when he went in to Hagar.

When we as humans, in our best efforts, try to fulfill God's promises on our own, it will only give us a fleshly result. So it was with Abram, who became the father of Ishmael.

When the Lord thirteen years later appeared to him, he presented himself as God Almighty. By doing this, He lets Abram know everything is possible with Him, because He is almighty. Abram repented, and walked the rest of his life on the earth before the Lord.

2. Does what is righteous.

As we see in the first point, Abram acted in disbelief when he went in to Hagar. When he ten years earlier (in Genesis 12:4) began his journey towards the land the Lord would give him, he walked in faith. Because he believed the Lord, he was declared as righteous.

The righteous should live only by faith, and walk through life and act in faith.

“But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” (Hebrews 10:38).

3. Speaks the truth from his heart.

It is self-deceit when a man knows the truth, and yet does not live in the truth. John says: “It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.” (2 John: 4).

This verse tells us that not many live in the truth they have heard. This is dangerous, because the Word is mighty to save: “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:21-22).

4. Whose tongue utters no slander.

He who slander makes himself a judge. “Brothers and sisters do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” (James 4:11).

This is a serious matter in the eyes of the Lord. If the one who slanders does not repent, he will be destroyed. “Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence.” (Psalm 101:5a).

5. Does no wrong to a neighbor.

We live in an evil world, and we will therefore experience injustice and evil deeds against us. The best way to overcome this is by doing good. “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” (1.Peter 3:13).

Jesus endured unjust human hostility and hatred like few others. He said: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44).

Pray for wisdom. When people harm you, do not revenge, but rather surrender the situation to God. “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19).

The only way to overcome evil is by doing good. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21).

6. Casts no slur on others.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5).

A man with a plank in his eye is blind. The blind man does not know where he is going. It is therefore hypocrisy when a blind wants to restore someone who has a small speck in his eye. To be able to help our brother who cannot see clearly, we must first make sure that there is nothing in our life that keeps us from seeing the truth. When we see clearly we will not expose our brother’s speck, but rather restore him with mercy and wisdom. Restoration done in the correct way will bring with it Gods love, rather than putting slur and shame on our brother. 

7. Despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord.

To despise a vile and wicked person is not equal to despising them as humans. Rather, we should despise what they love in this world.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1.John 2:15-17).

Whoever belongs to God should pursuit things of heavenly value, which will always remain. When doing so one will understand that the things the wicked seek after, are of no eternal value. Paul describes himself like this: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10).

Paul sought neither to be recognized by people or by God. He was a servant of Christ, and performed his ministry in faith. When the righteous live by faith, he should not expect recognition neither from man nor God. That is how the righteous should live. God does not clap the shoulder of the righteous because they do what they are told. God expects us to live by faith. We are unworthy servants, obliged to do what is imposed on us. “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “we are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” (Luke 17:10).

God is only pleased with one thing, and that is what Jesus did on the cross.

One day we will get something in return for what we did here on earth. Paul knew this day would come. He feared God and therefore took his calling seriously. By his work and life Paul demonstrated that he lived for God, and therefore he is due to our honor.

8. Keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do no protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6).

All faith will be tested, also promises that we give to God. We should therefore consider closely before making a promise. If we do not keep our promises it will make God angry.

9. Lends money to the poor without interest.

“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:42).

If our brother needs to borrow something from us, it would complicate his situation if we were to charge him interest. God sees everything and He will bless those who show mercy to others.

10. Does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

“The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.” (Proverbs 17:23).

Accepting bribe is corruption, and it is done to gain unfair advantages. The righteous shall be honest and true in all his ways, even though he may suffer loss. The truth can endure all investigation.

Endings

When the Lord gave David these points, he concluded by saying: “Whoever does these things will never be shaken.” (Psalm 15:5b).

Terrible things will happen on earth in the end times. Jesus says: “People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (Luke 21:26).

Two verses further down he says: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28).

When you are walking with Jesus and live your life according to Gods word, you know that you will not be shaken. Even when one disaster succeeds the other, you will be able to remain an optimist, and when you stand up and lift your head, you know that the rapture is near.