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Faith Comes By Hearing ("Seaweed, Sand and Sunsets" by Aimee McNally, Blog post #44)

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Faith Comes By Hearing ("Seaweed, Sand and Sunsets" by Aimee McNally, Blog post #44)

Seaweed, Sand, and Sunsets

By Aimee McNally, (San Jose)

We’ve been receiving a great deal of rain in the Bay Area this winter, but that does not stop our family from playing outside. Recently, in-between the downpour, we headed to the beach. As we were walking along the shoreline, I could not help but think of the many wonders of God’s creation, so I took the time to talk about a few of His intelligent beach designs.

Seaweed

Usually, there is an abundance of kelp at the beach. Look for a bunch of kelp with a large root base still attached. The root-like structure is called the holdfast. In the water, it clings itself to a hard substance, like a rock. Just like the seaweed holding fast to the rock, there are several scriptures that admonish us to hold fast to God’s word, the commandments, what is good, the truth, His covenant, and His name. (Deuteronomy 10:20, 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Hebrews 10:23) We should hold fast (cling) to the rock (Jesus) for He is our life. (Deuteronomy 30:20)

Sand

God created the sand as a boundary so the waters would not pass over it. What a blessing to safely walk on the beach knowing that the roaring waves will stay exactly where God commanded them to stay. Just like the sand and waters obey His commands, we need to obey and fear Him and His commands. “Do you not fear Me?' says the LORD. 'Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea…Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it” (Jeremiah 5:22). David also acknowledged how numerous (more than the sand on the seashore) and precious are God’s thoughts towards those who love Him. “How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand” (Psalm 139:17-18). God truly cares for us and keeps us safe from the physical and spiritual roaring waves in our lives.

Sunsets

“Wow” is just one word that describes God’s sunsets. Psalm 19:1 says: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Our souls are calmed by the gorgeous sunsets coupled with the peace and tranquility of the beach. Just like the sunsets reveal God’s glory, we also need to praise and glorify Him, and sunsets are a perfect time to praise Him. As Psalm 113:3 says, “From the rising of the sun to its going down The LORD's name is to be praised.”

My hope is that walking on the beach and talking to my children about His intelligent designs will spark belief in Him. For children, whose faith is still growing, simply observing and talking about the seaweed, the ocean waves, the sand, and sunsets will spiritually plant seeds for their faith, hope, and love in God.