Conner Pass South Ireland – a very windy vantage point on Dingle Peninsula

“And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Yahweh moved the sea with a strong east wind all night, and he made the sea become dry ground, and the waters were divided. And the Israelites entered the middle of the sea on the dry land. The waters were a wall for them on their right and on their left.”
(Exodus 14:21-22, LEB)

There are a few places I’ve visited where the wind is so fierce that taking photos is almost futile.   Conner Pass in Ireland was one of those places.  As I was trying desperately to steady myself for the panoramic image above, I was reminded of the passage in Exodus where God used a “mighty wind” to separate the waters of the Red Sea.  The scene itself on Conner Pass made me wonder if the cleared sea bed didn’t look something like this, and what kind of holy fear must have gripped the Israelites as they witnessed God’s unprecedented action on their behalf.

In Ancient Near Eastern lore and literature, the “waters” or “seas” often represented chaos in the world – the chaos of suffering and of the unknown.  So, in Genesis 1 when we’re told that the Spirit of God was “hovering over the waters” in creation, we get a picture of Yahweh, the Lord who rules over even the chaos…the unknown.  In fact, the Scriptures are full from beginning to end of images of God conquering the “waters”.  Even the final vision of Revelation is a renewed Creation without any seas (Revelation 21:1).  God will one day remove all suffering, all uncertainty…all chaos.

Thankfully, however, we’re not just left with that hope for the future, powerful as it may be.  It’s no accident that we read the following account of Jesus in Matthew:

“And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But the disciples, when they saw him walking on the sea, were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Have courage, I am he! Do not be afraid!” And Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water!  So he said, “Come!” And getting out of the boat, Peter walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus extended his hand and caught him and said to him, “You of little faith! Why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind abated. So those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!”
(Matthew 14:25-33, LEB)

Not only does Yahweh part the waters, Yahweh-in-flesh (Jesus) walks on the waters.  And not only does He command the winds to clear the seas, but He commands the winds to calm the seas as well.  He is Lord over creation and chaos, from start to finish.

Which person do you identify with?  Moses, confronted by an impossible passage through a raging sea, or Peter an impossible walk upon a raging sea?  Whatever your impossible situation, know today that Jesus parts the seas, walks upon the seas, and even calms the seas.  Keep your eyes on Jesus, Lord over the chaos of the world, and the chaos of your life.  He will carry you through, and lift you above the wind and waves.