Blessings by the Sea

I have always loved the sea. My early years were in Nova Scotia, Canada, where our family would go to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean on the Northumberland Strait during summer and winter. I never grew tired looking out over the horizon, enjoying the rhythm of the crashing waves, searching for seashells, running sand through my fingers, or admiring the incredible design of the Creator. “God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the water called He Seas: and God saw that it was good” (Gen. 1:1010And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:10)).
Last summer our family had a reunion by the sea in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Before that visit, a verse that was read in Sunday school containing the phrase “by the sea,” triggered my curiosity to search out similar verses and look at their context. As a result, I was overwhelmed by the wonderful things in God’s Word (Psa. 119:1818Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (Psalm 119:18)). In each case where the phrase “by the sea” was used, there was an amazing event, orchestrated by the Lord, which yielded rich blessings not only to the individuals in question, but also to me personally.
Counting by the Sea
One of the greatest promises ever made was to Abraham, in reference to counting the grains of sand by the sea. In Hebrews 11:1212Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. (Hebrews 11:12) we read, “Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the seashore innumerable.” This is an incredible story of fulfillment that is woven through thousands of years and is not finished yet! We can watch it unfold even today. In that promise we see blessing flowing out from God through the descendants of Abraham and ultimately through the offering of God’s Son. From that promise comes boundless blessings innumerable, not only to Abraham in earthly blessing, as seen in the sand of the sea, but also in heavenly blessing to the heavenly bride, as seen in the stars of the heavens—all flowing from the Creator directly to the saved sinner, including me!
Camping by the Sea
One of the greatest deliverances ever made was while obeying the command of the Lord to camp by the sea. In Exodus 14:1-21And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. (Exodus 14:1‑2) and 13-14 we read, “The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto the children of Israel, that they  ... encamp by the sea  ... and Moses said unto the people, fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you today.” The children of Israel were chased by the army of the Egyptians from behind, enclosed by the wilderness on either side, and stopped by the Red Sea ahead of them. But the Lord honors their obedience and fights the battle for them, saving millions through His awesome power. The result is a burst into a song of praise in Exodus 15:2: “The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation” And in that deliverance we see the incredible plan, through the slain Lamb of God (Exodus 12) to lead His people out from the grip of this world into rich blessings, beyond the temporary encampment by the sea. These blessings extend not only to the children of Israel in the promised land of Canaan, but also to each believer in our promised home above with our Savior!
Walking by the Sea
One of the greatest “callings” was by the Lord as He walked by the sea. This was to two simple fishermen, Peter and Andrew. In Matthew 4:18-20,18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. (Matthew 4:18‑20) we read, “Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.” This incident on the shore of the Sea of Galilee forever changed the lives of these two men. It was so radical that they dedicated their lives to telling others about Jesus and were willing to die for the One who called them. And in that calling, we see the same call echoing to each of us from the Lord who died and rose again, so that the good news can be shared with the world. This calling, made walking by the sea, eclipses all other earthly callings and results in eternal blessing!
Sitting by the Sea
One of the greatest messages ever given was by the Lord Jesus as He sat by the sea. In Matthew 13:1-2,1The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. (Matthew 13:1‑2) we read, “The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the seaside. And great multitudes were gathered together unto Him, so that He went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.” This message was given after the Lord had been rejected as the promised Messiah. It extended not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. In this message we hear the parable of the Sower, along with other precious parables and similitudes that show the blessed position each saved sinner is brought into. What a message given while sitting by the sea and shared by a rejected Messiah, on His way to the cross to buy the pearl of great price! Amazing grace!
Lodging by the Sea
One of the greatest cleansings ever shown was revealed to Peter as he lodged by the sea. In Acts 10:5-6,5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. (Acts 10:5‑6) we read, “Now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.” Here the Lord makes clear how that the message and promise of God in salvation were not just for God’s chosen people (Israel), but to the unclean, outside the direct promises of God to Abraham and his descendants. In this little dwelling by the sea, the door is opened so that the blessings flow out to anyone who would accept the message of God’s salvation through the finished work of Christ in resurrection. It extends to a centurion, one employed by one of the most brutal of all empires, who humbles himself in recognizing who he is before God. This cleansing by the sea caused them to “magnify God.” It forever changed the course of history for writer and reader alike!
Blessings by the Sea
These five instances where the term “by the sea” is used highlight some of the most amazing events in history from which rich blessings flow! Each time we sit, stand, walk, camp, or lodge by the sea, may we remember that we have been “blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places” (Eph 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)).
M. Allan