The Shake Down | Lifesigns Magazine

Life can overwhelm us with problems, pressure, and uncertainty. At times we don’t know what to do or where to turn. Yet often, God uses these seasons to shake us down—to remove what doesn’t belong, to refine our character, and to shape us into the people He has called us to be.

The prophet Haggai declared the word of the Lord:

“In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the Desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the Lord Almighty.
“The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the Lord Almighty.
“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house… and in this place I will grant peace.”
(Haggai 2:6–9)

When life shakes you, stop and consider your ways. God can use every situation—every trial, every disappointment, every setback—to teach, refine, and grow you, if you pause long enough to listen.

Israel’s Example

During the time of Haggai, Israel had returned from Babylonian captivity with the mission to rebuild the temple of God. But after opposition, discouragement, and fatigue, the work stopped. The people had grown complacent and spiritually indifferent. They were tired.

We must guard ourselves from falling into the same lethargy. Life’s pressures can lull us into spiritual sleep. When things aren’t producing the results God promised—when problems keep showing up at every turn—it’s wise to examine our hearts and ask, “Lord, are You refining me?”

James reminds us to “consider it pure joy” when facing trials, because God is producing something in us. A shakedown is not punishment; it is preparation.

The Furnace of Refining

The prophet Isaiah spoke God’s word to Israel:

“See, I have refined you, though not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”
(Isaiah 48:10)

God uses our trials not only to refine us, but also to draw a clear line in the sand:
Whom will you trust?
Where is your security?
Who holds your allegiance?

A shakedown separates the genuine from the superficial. God is calling His people away from lukewarm faith and half-hearted devotion. You are either for Him or against Him. The shaking reveals who is truly His.

When God shakes us, confession without possession becomes impossible. You cannot merely say you follow Christ—you must belong to Him, be filled with Him, and live like it.

God Will Shake the World Too

God is not a distant or forgettable figure tucked away in the corner of the universe. He shakes not only individuals, but nations. People may try to ignore Him, silence Him, or hide Him—but God will always get the world’s attention. His glory will be revealed.

Isaiah also declared:

“I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.”
(Isaiah 42:8)

In an age where truth is treated as relative, God’s truth remains unshaken. The present shakedown in the world exposes the lies of the enemy and reveals them for what they are. And when all debates end, when leaders pass away, when the world changes, God’s Word will still stand. He will be the last One standing.

The Promised Glory

Every shakedown we face is preparing us for God’s glory. If we stay faithful through the shaking, His glory will be revealed in us and through us. People will see His greatness, His majesty, and His power alive in our lives.

Your state after the shakedown will be greater than before. That is God’s promise. Trials are meant to make you better, not bitter. As the world shakes and your personal life shakes, remember this: the glory God promised will come—and it will be greater than anything you imagined.

You will come out stronger, wiser, purer, and more mature in Christ.

All for His Glory

The shakedown is not just for our good—it is for His glory. When we emerge refined and transformed, people will see the hand of God and give Him praise.

Every hardship Jesus endured, every suffering Paul faced, every martyr who stood firm—each points to the glory of God. Our suffering, too, can bring Him glory when we surrender it to Him.

It’s hard to understand how affliction leads to glory. But when we humble ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, we discover that we are not victims—we are victors. And because God wins, we win.

In the end, God receives all the glory.