During my husband’s military tenure, we often looked out at the ocean and wiggled our toes in the sand. Our life has been focused on coastal living, with the sea and the shore, for many years. However, we didn’t like living near water.
“Give us a chalet in the mountains,” we argued. However, over time we warmed up to the beach. We came to love it and I began to feel God’s presence on the shore in a beautiful way. I am convinced that there is something special about the beach: it is where God himself meets us.
Perhaps it is the breeze flowing through a head of hair, defending God himself – invisible, but visible through his works. Or maybe it’s the ocean rushing forward to greet visitors, then receding as if to attract our entrance. Faith swims in these waters.
Several verses alluding to the elements of the beach also appear in the Bible. They point to our Father and his goodness. Below are nine of these verses and their accompanying attributes. Take them with you whether you’re heading to the beach or just dreaming of sifting sand this summer.
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1. Our God is a great God
“For from the rising of the sun even to the setting of the sun, my name is great among the nations, and everywhere they will offer incense to my name and a pure grain offering; for my name is great among the nations,” says Yahweh of hosts. Malachi 1:11 WEB
There is nothing like a beautiful rising sun to remind us how great our God is. Why not take a moment to praise His name as the sun rises or sets this week?
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2. His wisdom accomplished many works
Yahweh, how many are your works! In wisdom you created them all.
“The earth is full of your riches. There is the sea, great and wide, in which there are countless living beings, small and large animals.” Psalm 104:24-25
Soak up the immensity of the ocean. Whether in person or in spirit, consider his wisdom in creating such a body of water. Can you imagine attempting the feat?!
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3. Heaven awaits
“But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, which shines more and more until the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18 WEB
Go ahead, enjoy this magnificent sunrise! It’s well worth the early wake-up call. While enjoying the first rays of the sun, keep the sky close. As Christians, those who seek to walk in His righteous ways, a perfect day is coming: heaven. Alleluia!
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4. Jesus is not Whimpy
“The men were amazed and said, “What kind of man is he, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” » Matthew 8:27 WEB
Circumstances may come our way, but we have a Savior overflowing with power. He is fully capable of calming the storms of life. Allow the waves of the ocean to be a faith-filled reminder.
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5. Go ahead, step forward in faith
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.” Ecclesiasticus 11:1
Have you ever cast your bread upon the waters? Have you taken a step forward in faith, following the Lord when the path ahead seemed uncertain? Consider letting the seaside waters remind you of faith.
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6. The magnificence of his work
“‘Don’t you fear me?’ says Yahweh. “Will you not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the boundary of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass? Even though its waves waver, yet they cannot prevail. Even if they roar, they still can’t ignore it. Because. 5:22 WEB
At high tide, the waves come closer to the shore than at low tide. An invisible line exists, stopping their movement toward earth. It is as if these tumultuous, receding waters are exposed, creating a line between sea and land, upholding the magnificence of our Creator’s work.
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7. Consider the wisdom and understanding of Solomon
“God gave Solomon abundant wisdom and understanding, and very great understanding, like the sand that is on the seashore.” 1 Kings 4:29 WEB
Pursue. Try counting the army of sand granules by the sea. Or consider how each one is formed. Their great numbers and training defend the wisdom and understanding of our great God.
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8. Grow in faith
“He gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be shepherds and teachers… so that we might no longer be children, tossed and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by deceit, by the wiles of error…” Eph. 4:11,14 WEB
Strong waves and wind can push a person in ways they never thought possible. Astute spiritual teaching can, too. The Lord has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to help us grow spiritually – so that these winds and waves of error will have less power over us. Let the wind remind you to pick up a podcast, book, or article for continued growth at the beach.
9. Obedience
“…[T]I will bless you greatly, and I will greatly multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gate of their enemies. Your descendants will bless all the nations of the earth, because you have obeyed my voice. Genesis 22:17-18 WEB
This one, like the “verse” of #8, is a combination of two verses. Its underlying current? Obedience – a foundation of our faith. When you are standing on the beach at night or even looking out our bedroom window, think of Abraham and his obedience. Interweave the possibilities of faith in God with our own faith.
Enjoy the beach this summer while soaking up its magnificence. He is worthy of it.
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Kristi Wood is a writer and speaker passionate about seeing women walk more deeply with God. She clicks on his words of encouragement to https://www.KristiWoods.net regularly and is published in Chicken soup for the soul: dreams and premonitions as well as on Proverbs 31 Encouragement for today and on various blogs. Her retired Army husband Kristi and their three children have survived a nomadic, military lifestyle and have now put down roots in Oklahoma. Connect with Kristi here: Facebook, Twitter, InstagramAnd Pinterest.
Originally published on Friday May 22, 2026.
