Isaiah 54:10 (NIV84)

10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Not too long ago, Alaskans experienced the earth shaking underneath them. Roads caved in and buildings crumbled. Even if one lives in an area prone to earthquakes, I would imagine you never really get used to the earth trembling below your feet. Each time it happens there is the fright that accompanies the quake.

Have you ever felt the ground quake under your spiritual life? It can happen if we focus on the problems of the moment. Fear creeps into our life. It can happen when we step away from regular contact with God’s Word and promises. Faith begins to fade.

We long for unshakable foundations. Even the strong and lofty terrain around us cannot provide the refuge we seek. Mountains totter. Hills crumble. Nothing can stand in the way of God’s surging anger. But in the midst of mountains shaking and crumbling there is a something that cannot be removed, there is something that will never teeter or totter – the covenant of peace from God.

“The punishment that brought us peace was on him” (Isaiah 53:5). God’s surge of punishment over our sin landed on Jesus. All who trust in this Suffering Servant have a covenant from God that cannot be shaken. They will never suffer the surge of God’s anger over sin. Instead, they find a surge of unfailing love and compassion in God’s Word and Sacraments that lasts forever.

PRAYER: Lord, in your Word I find a flood of your compassion and love. When doubts arise and faith fades, graciously lead me back to your unshakable covenant of peace in Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen.