Why It Matters //

What we meditate on and what we allow into our mind, affects our thoughts, emotions and our spirit. It is important that we protect our mind, heart and spirit from allowing fear to creep in, especially at a time of uncertainty. Fear is a scheme of the enemy to paralyze people and to make them doubt God’s character and promises. The world might react with fear, but we, as believers in Christ, have an eternal hope that surpasses our worldly circumstances. This passage in Hebrews encourages us to believe that when everything in this world can be shaken, our God can not be shaken...It causes us to consider: when things around us are shaken, is our reaction to draw near to God or to turn to fear? 

What It's Talking About // 

Hebrews explains many Old Testament symbols in light of the new covenant in Christ Jesus. In Hebrews, we see that Jesus is the perfect and final blood sacrifice for our sins because of what he did on the cross. This particular scripture references the blood of Jesus speaking a better word than Abel: Abel’s blood cries out for vengeance and Jesus' blood cries out for mercy. Also referenced is when Israel is at the mountain of God with Moses where the Law was given and they were too afraid of God to draw near; now we come to God with reverence and awe knowing that we can approach.

Hebrews 12:18-29 NIV

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 

19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 

20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 

21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 

23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 

24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 

26 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.” 

27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 

29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”