Oceans

I stood alone yesterday at Myrtle Beach and snapped a picture of the Atlantic Ocean.  Nobody was out there with me.  While enjoying the peace and solitude, I thought about that tremendous body of water there before me.  It was truly a special few moments.

Here are a few biblical thoughts on oceans.  It's important to keep in mind that when these verses mention "seas", they also are referring to oceans.  After all, the same God is responsible for both of them being here.

The oceans were born into the world by the Lord.  Job 38:8 "Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb..."  It's awesome to think of the world's enormous bodies of water being birthed into existence from our Creator.  The oceans weren't always here.  They are the result of the amazing and intentional work of God. 

The oceans were filled with water by the Lord.  Amos 9:6  "He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land - the Lord is His name."  This makes me think of our tremendous God picking up a pitcher with His immeasurable hand and pouring all of the oceans onto planet Earth.  Now that's mighty impressive to picture in our minds! 

The oceans belong to the Lord.  Psalm 95:5 "The sea is His, for He made it."  His handiwork is His property.  We can enjoy them, but He is the One who owns them all.  The fact that all these waters belong to Him is further proof of just how powerful He really is. 

The oceans showcase the greatness of the Lord.  Psalm 107:23-24 "Some went out to sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters.  They saw the works of the Lord, His wonderful deeds in the deep."  In a way, the oceans are like a heavenly billboard.  They remind us how big, powerful, and amazing God is.  Only an awesome God could create such a thing as an ocean.

The oceans and all they contain do uniquely worship the Lord.  Psalm 148:7  "Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths."  While they do not speak human language, I believe in their own special way they adore and worship their Creator who brought them into existence.  They know who put them there and who has dominion over them. 

The oceans are governed by the Lord.  Jeremiah 31:35  "Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; the Lord of hosts is His name."  Now that is power!  God "stirs up" the waters so that waves roll and crash.  Furthermore, check out this verse:  Psalm 89:9  "You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them."  Notice the word "rule".  This is all about God's sovereign authority over the oceans and the rest of the creation.  When the waves get rougher and more rowdy than He wants them to be, God says, "Ok, waves.  That's enough.  Time for you to settle down!"  And, they do.

The oceans will one day be removed by the Lord.  Revelation 21:1  "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."  We won't always have oceans.  One day, they will not be needed.  The Lord will remove them.  And that will be fine, because He will have better things for us to see and experience.  So we may as well enjoy oceans now.

Oceans are impressive.  They really are!  But God is way more so.  May you and I praise Him because of this!