[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during August 2023]
“oh, I do like to be beside the seaside.” [1]
In many parts of the northern hemisphere the summer is drawing to its close. The warm days may linger for a while as the climate adjusts itself but the evenings are drawing in and the return to a normal daily routine is becoming imminent. Soon many of us will once again be subject to the discipline of the academic calendar or the rigours of earning a living – pity those of us for whom they are one and the same thing!
For those who were able to take their holidays at the seaside there are certain sounds which are associated with their time there; the slapping of rigging against aluminium masts as a background to fish and chips on the seafront (surpassed only by fish and chips beside the Danube in Austria), the cacophony of gulls as they launch raids on unguarded plates or even the discordant sounds that accompany hordes of humanity basking like walruses somewhere on the Costa Packet.
Now it is time to tie up the yacht, tie down the awnings and let rosy memories of summer holidays evoke dreams for next year; dreams that will no doubt be dampened when we get the bill for those memories.
In the early chapters of Genesis we read of a garden where everything was very good, then in the book of Revelation we see heaven portrayed as a city. For those of us who prefer gardens to cities that sounds somewhat disappointing; imagine then the feelings of ship chandlers, restaurant owners and travel agents alike when we read
… and there was no longer any sea. Revelation 21 v1 [NIVUK]
In the early phases of creation, God created the seas and defined their limits. He pronounced the seas as ‘good’ – why then would they be excluded from the new heaven?
Many commentators argue that, in this particular reference, the sea is being used as a stereotype to portray turbulence, toil and trouble. Indeed, we see many times in the lives of the early disciples that for them the sea could mean toil and trouble. Similarly, the apostle Paul endured turbulent storms and shipwrecks during his life of service to Christ. Should we be surprised if we too face such challenges?
On the other hand, there are also accounts in the Gospels and Acts of how the sea proved beneficial. It provided livelihoods, facilitated travel and provided the background to many sermons and miracles. Further more, seas in various forms are an integral part of the vision of the future as reported by John in the book of Revelation.
Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Does your life resemble the thunderous breakers on a rocky shore, lots of energy spent for a minimum of achievement? Jesus still has control of the wind and the waves, and they know it!
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky and sea; [2]
Resources:
[1] JH Glover-Kind, 1907
[2] Reginald Heber, 1826
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
