OCEANS

Today we are going to study the song "Oceans" written by Matt Crocker, Joel Houston and Salomon Lightelm and understand how we can apply its message in our lives.

Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.

23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,

24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33)

This song was inspired by this biblical story. The composers used a common literary technique by creating a metaphor with this story, applying each element of that situation to our present life.

The lyrics of the song are written in the first person ("I"), addressing God directly ("You"), like a prayer.

“You (GOD)  call me (I) out”. When we sing this song, we are speaking these words to the Lord. How does God call us?

We can see in the Bible countless examples of when God called someone:

1. Abraham – God called Abraham to leave his land and go to a new land that He would show him. (Genesis 12:1-4)
2. Moses – God called Moses through the burning bush to deliver the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. (Exodus 3:1-12)
3. Samuel – God called young Samuel by name while he was sleeping in the temple. (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
4. Isaiah – Isaiah had a vision of the Lord in the temple and responded to the call with, "Here am I, send me." (Isaiah 6:8)
5. Jeremiah – God called Jeremiah when he was still young to be a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:4-10)
6. Mary – The angel Gabriel called Mary to be the mother of Jesus, the Savior. (Luke 1:26-38)
7. Peter and the disciples – Jesus called Peter, John, James, and other disciples to follow Him and become "fishers of men." (Matthew 4:18-22)
8. Paul (Saul) – Jesus called Saul on the road to Damascus to become an apostle to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:1-19)

At that time God called people audibly either through His own voice or through messengers (angels) or through God incarnate Himself, that is, Jesus (in the case of the disciples and Paul - when Jesus had already died).

And today? How many of you have heard His voice calling? Maybe none of you have, but that doesn't mean He doesn't call anymore, but rather that... He calls us through faith.

“You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand”

The deep ocean mentioned in the lyrics of this song symbolizes the world we live in and all its challenges, problems and struggles.

The call to faith, when accepted, enables you to walk on water, and the more you walk in faith, the stronger your faith will remain.

This means that even though the problems are still there, you can face them by “walking over them” and looking to Jesus who will help you get through them.

Walking on water means remaining steadfast and not being overcome by the difficulties, struggles, and challenges of life.

“And I will call upon Your Name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine”

Here's the secret to not sinking:
“And I will call upon Your Name
And keep my eyes above the waves”
So: “When oceans rise My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine”

And why does He care so much about keeping us from sinking?

H I S       G R A C E     I S    A M A Z I N G

“Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now”

So, when you understand this love and realize that you cannot face the "ocean" (this world) alone, you become able to "pray" this chorus:

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour”

Are you walking on water looking to Jesus? Do you remember a situation in your life when "deep waters" scared you and you had to "walk on the water" looking only to Jesus?

“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

 Dani Caldeira