When I’ve been snorkeling, I often think how incredible it is to get a glimpse of all the things God governs that go on in the universe, 99.99999% of which we never see or think about! When I have the opportunity, I spend many hours in the water, searching the reef, taking photos, and losing all sense of time. Even when far from the ocean, I often find underwater images working their way into my mind. It’s a profoundly spiritual experience to enjoy the wonders and beauties of God’s underwater world.
I remember one time snorkeling with one of my daughters, a friend, and his son. Suddenly we heard the melodic sounds of whales calling to each other. The sounds were so loud that we expected whales to appear any moment. We floated, nearly motionless, just listening to musical beauty and power that defies words. I felt closer to God during that twenty minutes than at nearly any other time in my life.
Listen to what Scripture has to say about God’s underwater creations, and how they glorify Him:
“O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” (Psalm 104:24)
“So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:21)
“The Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, who remains faithful forever.” (Psalm 146:6)
“Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.” (Psalm 104:25-26)
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” (Romans 1:20)
“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.” (Psalm 96:11)
“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13)
These verses remind me of the sheer delight of my unforgettable ninety-minute underwater encounter with a wonderful monk seal I named Molly. Whenever I look at Molly’s photo, my heart fills with joyful memories and longing for the New Earth’s joy and the days that await us. You can watch some footage from that remarkable time here.
By the way, when I’m asked about Revelation 21:1, “the sea was no more,” referring to the New Earth, I encourage readers to check out this blog for insights from Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon’s interpretation and mine are that it doesn’t mean no more large bodies of water, but no more of the sea as it was viewed in that culture: the place of shipwrecks, drowning, poisoning by salt water, etc.
