“Praise the Lord, my soul.  Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.”  Psalm 104:1

My wife and I are currently on vacation staying in a seaside condo.  We determined a few years ago that we are “beach people”.  We like to see and visit other places, but our first love is a seaside beach.  Marie grew up by the ocean in New England.  I was inland; consequently, my only encounter with the ocean was an overnight stay in Daytona while on a college choir tour.  She was excited to get me to the ocean and once there I was hooked.  At dinner last night we were talking about that fact.   As we talked while eating seaside, Marie observed that it is quite possible that I love the ocean more than she does.  I agreed stating that trips to the ocean are as much or more about my soul than rest and relaxation.  Three of the reasons that it has become a spiritual experience is that I am reminded of God’s radiance, it causes me to worship and gives me peace as I’m reminded of God’s power and sovereignty.

I love being in the sun.  My health issues make me chill easily.  Therefore, the heat of the sun warms my body and relaxes me.  However, the sun is also given as an illustration of God’s glory.  We are told in Revelation 21:23 “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.”  If the sun, which is but a mere hint of what the glory of God is like, can calm my body and soul, can you imagine what the impact of God’s glory will do for us when we experience it full force in heaven?  Consequently, as I feel the warmth of the sun, I am constantly reminded of God’s presence with me, the way He watches me and cares for me.

Whether I am watching the sun rise or set over the ocean, I am reminded of God’s power and creativity.  Seeing God’s handiwork brilliantly displayed, I can’t help but worship Him.  Truly the spacious heavens declare the glory of God. But it doesn’t stop there.  Read the rest of Psalm 104 which summarizes God’s creation of the world, the riches that it contains and His interaction with it.  The Psalm concludes with “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.  May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.” (vs.  33-34)  That is exactly how I feel staring out at the ocean.  It overrides my anxious thoughts, recenters my soul and brings me to a place of worship.

As I stand on the shoreline looking at the sea, I think of its vastness which is both beautiful and able to inflict great destruction as well as all of the creatures that it contains which may provide or end life.  It is one of those reminders of how little man can control.  I am in awe as it prompts me to recall God’s conversation with Job in chapters 38 through 41 when God recounts His creative work in forming the earth, His constant hand in the workings in the natural forces of the earth and questions Job regarding his abilities and knowledge compared to God’s. My response to God’s immense power, creativity and glory resemble those of Job as God challenges him.  “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.  Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; even twice, and I will add nothing more.”  (Job 40:4-5)   “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.  Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?  Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.  Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.”  (Job 42:2-4)  The first reminds me that: God is indeed all powerful with wisdom and knowledge beyond anything I can imagine, I truly am insignificant when compared to Him, and I have no basis to challenge His wisdom or His plans.  The latter offers the comfort of God’s sovereignty in those plans.  God’s wisdom has laid them out with all factors considered and His power assures that they will be carried out as He has ordained them.  While I may be insignificant in wisdom and power, but I am a deeply loved child of God as are you, Christ has given His life for us and the Holy Spirit comforts us and that makes all of the difference…insignificant no more.  Life can be as peaceful or as tumultuous as the ocean, but God’s power and grace sustain us and draw us closer to Him.

The ocean causes me to dwell on and worship God because of His glory, power, wisdom and sovereignty; it also reminds me of my standing with Him and provokes many conversations with Him as I walk the beach.  This is God’s gift to me and I pray that my love of the ocean has encouraged you to consider the attributes of God causing you to worship and draw closer to Him.  But that said, He has created each of us to be unique and gives different gifts to His people.  If you haven’t already, find those things that draw you near to God and exploit them that you may find strength and peace in your relationship with Him.  Then together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we can wholeheartedly and without reservation say:  “Praise the Lord, my soul.  Praise the Lord.”

Will