The Shaking and the Glory
by Kurt Cotter
Pastor of Men’s, Marriage, and Pastoral Care Ministries
“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
– Haggai 2:6-9
I recently returned from a mission trip to Rocky Point, Mexico with a team of seven amazing people. We facilitated a men’s retreat with eighty men from various small churches plus a drug rehab home.
On the night before the event, while we were praying as a team, a 5.5 earthquake occurred. We all felt it while sitting in our chairs, and we saw things moving in the room. I actually got excited because I saw it as a sign of what God was about to do at the retreat. The reason for my excitement is because I truly believe that the glory of God is released in greater measure in an individual—or even in a nation—when there is a "shaking.”
I believe that Haggai 2:6-9 gives us so much wisdom and comfort to understand God’s ways in this current time of upheaval. God said He would “shake all nations.” Why? So they will turn from their sins to “The Desire of All Nations.”
He also said He will fill His temple with His glory and the glory of this latter house will be greater than before. God’s glory is His presence. God desires to fill us with His presence—as individuals and as nations. But what is required is repentance. As Peter said:
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord”
–Acts 3:19
When we humble ourselves and turn to Jesus with all of our hearts, God brings times of refreshing from His presence. The Greek word for “refreshing” is “catching of breath” or “revival.” God desires to bring revival to our hearts and to the nations.
“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts…”
Many of you who are reading this have gone through tremendous financial loss; and some have even lost your jobs. I’m so sorry. I believe this little phrase is put here to assure you that your Father in heaven will continue to supply your needs according to His riches in glory.
So, back to my story. As we started our men’s retreat in Mexico that Saturday morning, the glory of God truly fell. Many men were transformed in His presence. We saw fifteen salvations and fourteen healings for the glory of Jesus!
“In this place, I will give peace.”
This is the promise Jesus gave:
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
–John 14:27
In the midst of the shaking and turmoil around you, may He calm the storm and grant to you His peace.