[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2026]
God called the dry ground ‘land’, and the gathered waters he called ‘seas’. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1 v10 [NIVUK]
In many parts of the northern hemisphere, August is considered a holiday month. The areas where the land and the sea meet are often very popular with holidaymakers with their visions of sandy beaches, calm waves and refreshing breezes. Hoteliers, caterers and ice-cream vendors exploit those location knowing that their customers will not count the cost until they get home.
However, there is more to the seaside – or rather, the shoreline – than idly passing the time of day. As we walk along the shoreline we might find a cave and be reminded that there are many Biblical accounts of people having taken refuge in caves. When the evil queen Jezebel was trying to eliminate her enemies, Obadiah used the resources of the royal household to protect some of them.
Haven’t you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord? I hid a hundred of the Lord’s prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.
1 Kings 18 v13 [NIVUK]
What or where, or even who, gives you a sense of security?
How are you using your resources to help those who are at risk?
Elsewhere along the shoreline we might find evidence of a shipwreck. The apostle Paul was travelling from Jerusalem to Rome when his ship was wrecked on the island of Malta.
But the ship struck a sand-bar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.
Acts 27 v41 [NIVUK]
Paul had received reassurance from God and he was able to convince the centurion who was accompanying him that all the ship’s company would be saved.[1] The centurion listened to Paul’s advice and issued instructions to abandon the ship.
He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.
Acts 27 v43-44 [NIVUK]
How often do you pray for those around you?
Are you able to offer reassurance in turbulent circumstances?
There are some people who make their living at the shoreline, including beach-combers searching for precious artifacts, lifeboatmen striving to save those in peril in the sea and trawlermen landing their catch. Jesus himself often went to the seaside although his experience was very different from that of the leisure seekers described above. Early in his earthly ministry he came across some fishermen plying their trade.
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1 v16-18 [NIVUK]
How will you respond to the invitation to “Follow Me!”?
During his final week on earth Jesus went back to the seaside.
Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus.
John 21 v1,4 [NIVUK]
Jesus had already prepared a barbecue on the beach. He invited his disciples to come and have breakfast with him.[2]
Have you met with Jesus this morning?
References:
[1] Acts 27:24
[2] John 21:12
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys