When I heard the FMF word was order, I immediately thought of the ocean, the waves and the seashore and how God set the boundaries for the water.
The earth proclaims the order of the Lord. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”1 As Creator, God set a boundary for the seas in order to preserve life on the earth.
King Solomon wrote of God’s authority, “When He set for the sea its boundary so that the water would not transgress His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.”2
The Lord asked Job, “Who enclosed the sea with doors?” Then God proclaimed, “I placed boundaries on it and seat a bolt and doors, and I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther; and here shall your proud waves stop’?”3
The Lord spoke of His majestic power to order the seas, “For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, an eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it.”4
The disciples were caught when ‘a fierce gale of wind descended’ upon their boat while crossing the Sea of Galilee. “They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?’”5
Just as God brings order to the seas and the land, we can trust Him to bring order in our lives. Just as Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves, so we can trust Him to deal with the chaos and disorder coming against us, bringing peace, order and rest in its place.
References
1Genesis 1:1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+1%3A1&version=NASB1995
2 Proverbs 8:29 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+8%3A29&version=NASB1995
3 Job 38:8a, 10-11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=job+38&version=NASB1995
4Jeremiah 5:22 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jeremiah+5%3A22&version=NASB1995
5Luke 8:23-25 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+8&version=NASB1995
Resources
4 Bible Verses about Limits For the Sea. Retrieved July 23, 2021 from https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Limits-For-The-Sea
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
*Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. This week’s Five Minute Friday writing prompt is order.
12 thoughts on “Order and Boundaries”
huh,. that was a good read. Glad I stopped in. Never really stopped to think of order in this way. 🙂 FMF 18
Thanks for the encouragement, Annette!
On a lighter note, knowing that God has ordered the universe encourages me that my need to order my home and work spaces is not unusual. =)
Amie, FMF #20
So true, Amie!
Oh, I love your perspective on this prompt! And I needed your words, “we can trust Him to deal with the chaos and disorder coming against us, bringing peace, order and rest in its place.” Thank you, Lisa. Karen (FMF #4)
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Karen.
And On The Eighth Day, God Went Surfing…
God set the sea ‘twixt cliff and beach, that it might know its place, and then He said, “It’s time to reach for some fun and grace.
I’ll send waves ‘cross Pacific wastes to Rincon and the Pipeline; and set breaks unto each taste, point and reef, and they’ll be fine
for the gals and for the guys who know Me, waiting for the ride in which the perfect curl may rise and the Green Room may betide.”
The fall would come, and ‘Jesus Saves’, but on Day Eight, God hit the waves.
Thanks for stopping by, Andrew.
Amen Lisa. What a blessed lesson. Thank you for your wonderful insight here on order. Blessings.
~Selah~
FMF#12
Thanks, Paula!
Love this. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Sandra!