The Experience of Waves
JONATHAN EMBER, Lead Pastor
Diversity Church, Indianapolis
Waves are most commonly made up of wind and water- both ingredients are compared throughout the Scripture with the Holy Spirit. So we are using Waves as an analogy to discover more of the 3rd person of the trinity.
In this article we are talking about, “The experience of Waves.” Most people love the ocean or big lakes. I remember some of my first experiences with waves when my mom took me to Myrtle Beach and Gulf Shores Alabama as a kid and we jumped in the waves, rode the waves on boogie boards, and things like that. Ever since then I love to experience new spots, feeling the sand beneath my feet, the crash of waves over my body, and even the smell of the ocean.
Just as I have experienced waves in the ocean, I have had experiences with the waves of the Holy Spirit that I want to talk about today. So did the author of Psalm, “Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.” Psalms 42:7
There are deep experiences with God as deep as the oceans that the most seasoned of Christian has yet to experience, but the more we seek him, the more we find him. The more hungry and thirsty we are for him! “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:1-2
The Waves on the shore
The book of Ezekiel talks about a river coming from the house of God. And there was a man that told Ezekiel to get in and the water covered his ankles, and then he said go 500 long steps and then the water covered his knees, and then he went 500 more feet and then the water covered his legs, and then 500 more feet it was so deep and vast you couldn't cross it. This represents all of our experiences with GOD! God is calling us deeper, and sometimes we are too satisfied with where we have been, or what we have seen, we just stay close to the shore. An Example is in our praise & worship. 'Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.' Psalms 22:3
God shows up when your praise and worship shows up. God is calling us past the shore and into the deep. “Deep calls to the deep…” If you've experienced anything of the Holy Spirit; His fruit, his gifts, and his power, just know there is more that you haven't seen. This attitude keeps you hungry and humble and the ingredients for progression to God’s depths of experience.
The Waves In The Deep
In order for you to go where the waves are strong, you've got to go out a ways. But once you do, they are powerful! “Deep calls to the deep… All your waves and breakers have swept over me.” This sounds like someone who had experienced God The Holy Spirit giving him a WIPE OUT moment.
Other Examples In Scripture:
- When Jesus had the Holy Spirit come down on him like a dove. This is a literal experience the Bible describes when Jesus was baptized.
-Paul the Apostle on the road to Damascus when he fell off his donkey under the power of God. The power was so strong and the light so bright he is on the ground and blinded for 3 days.
-Or When Jesus is in the garden and the Jewish guards asked him who is Jesus and he said, “I am he,” and they fell back because a wave of the Holy Spirit hit them.
-Or when the priests in 2 Chronicles sang and played together and a cloud of glory came and filled the temple so they could not stand and minister!
These are moments with the waves of a living God… not just Bible days or Bible experiences, but also today.
The Waves Of The Storm
I remember one time we were on the ocean in Florida and there was a waterspout (which is a tornado on the water) that formed and was coming towards us. The waves and winds started to increase and we had to evacuate the water because it was such an intense situation. That experience is similar to the context of Psalm, “...all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. This writer isn't just experiencing the liquid love of God that is washing over him…. He’s also experiencing “the storm of God.” The waterspout, a tornado on the water, those are the waves crashing over him!
“...When Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17
...Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Matthew 4:1
Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil!
Let's talk about this
What kind of experiences have you had that God was calling you to go deeper?
Do you find yourself "staying on the shore"?
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