Sermon No. 14
LESSONS FROM THE SAND
By: Atty. Numeriano P. Galgo, Jr.
October 30, 2022
Tagum City, Philippines
attyborgegalgo@gmail.com
Part I.
A. Greetings
B. Overview of the message
The message this morning is taken from nature. God’s creation displays his divine and eternal power. We can see it if we pause a little while and look around. The rainbow reminds us that he will keep his promises, the sunrise teaches us that every day is a new day, and the birds in the air assure us that he will provide for our needs because we are more valuable. Little things teach us great lessons about faith, trust, and hope in God. Today, let us learn from the tiny sand on the seashore. So come with me to the beach!
Our main verse is found in Jeremiah 5:22 which says:
“Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord.
“Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,
an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
they may roar, but they cannot cross it.”
C. Prayer
Part II. Discussion
I believe that we all have been to the beach. I love the beach, especially when there’s grilled fish, kinilaw (raw seafood dish), fresh seaweeds like lato (sea grapes), root crops like camote (sweet potato), chili vinegar sauce, and good music. It’s perfect! My work as a lawyer is stressful. I solve somebody’s legal problems, and there are endless deadlines to meet. So I escape to the beach with my family to unwind, relax, and enjoy life.
The Philippines has many beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters. Tourists from different parts of the world visit our country to experience the powdery white sands. The famous beach destinations are Boracay, El Nido in Palawan, Siargao, Panglao Island in Bohol, and many more. When we talk about the beach, good memories come to life. We remember the sandcastles, seashells, sunsets, footprints, sunburns, pictures, campfires, foods, family, colorful fishes, stories, laughter, and summer vacations. If you lie down on the sand at night, you will see the lovely stars twinkling in the sky. You also hear the relaxing sound of the waves lapping on the seashore. The beach reminds us of the beautiful moments with our loved ones.
A. Characteristics of the sand
Of course, we have seen the sand on the beach. It's tiny and light. It easily slips through our fingers. The black sand is even smaller and lighter. Once it dries up, it's easily blown away by the wind. I know this because the sand in my hometown is primarily black. Sandcastles look pretty, but their beauty will not last long because the wave and the wind can quickly destroy them.
Aside from the sand making the beach beautiful, there appears to be no other reason for its existence. Because of its size, beachgoers walk on it as if it means nothing. Sand is not a good place to construct something. Jesus even said that the man who builds his house on the sand is a foolish builder (Matthew 7:26). But our verse says that God made the sand an everlasting barrier that the sea cannot cross. It's small but terrible. The Lord has used this little thing for a greater purpose.
B. Characteristics of the sea
On the other hand, the sea is great and broad (Psalm 104:25). It's immense. The oceans hold 97 percent of the water on earth. The sea is restless, and it roars. When the sea rages, it’s fearsome. It can destroy things that lie along its path. The sea has claimed many lives and sunk thousands of ships. It is a symbol of chaos. Tsunamis, storm surges, and tidal waves are weapons of the sea. These are destructive forces of nature. Man has not yet invented the machine that can stop these calamities.
The sea is also scary. Few people like to swim in deep blue waters. Some people have a phobia of the ocean known as Thalassophobia. We imagine sharks and sea snakes lurking in the deep. I have tried scuba diving on Samal Island, and although it was just 40 feet below, I felt I couldn't breathe anymore. I was afraid that a shark would suddenly appear and bite me to pieces!
When there's a super typhoon, the sea waves transport huge ships from the dock to the middle of the town. When I visited Tacloban, Leyte, after typhoon Yolanda, I saw ships in the residential area. Right now, parts of the Philippines are experiencing the wrath of severe tropical storm Paeng. Those who live along seashores are bracing for their lives. Many have died and still counting. Our prayers go to them. Such is the raging, ruthless power of the sea.
C. Sand vs. Sea
Compared to the vastness and power of the sea, the sand is too small. Yet, with all its might, the sea is restrained by the tiny sand. It's like a supernatural fence created by God. It's unbelievable! In our verse, the Lord said that he made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. God could have used the rocks or the mountains to stop the sea on its tracks. Why sand? Why this tiny thing? Because God said so. In his wisdom, the Lord had set limitations to his extraordinary handiwork for our benefit. As always, God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).
How does tiny sand do it? I've read an internet article stating that the beach's sand absorbs wave energy. It provides a buffer between storm waves and the land. The sand under the sea causes the waves to break farther from the shoreline, which weakens their energy or power before reaching the shore. In Siargao, surfers ride the waves in the deeper part of the sea, far from the seashore. I tried basic surfing there. You have to move back to the deeper part of the sea to be able to catch a good-sized wave. You can't ride waves on the seashore because it breaks up by then.
The humble sand may be tiny, but it’s wise. The waves of the mighty sea may roll, but they cannot prevail over it. The waves may roar, but they cannot cross the sand permanently. The waves would keep coming to the shore, but they stopped there. During typhoons, the sea may reach the towns with the aid of the wind but it will go back immediately afterward to the place where it belongs. Centuries have passed and thousands of mega storms have come, the sand is still there until now. In Revelation 21:1, a time will come that the sea will be gone.
Part III. Lessons
A. First, big problems in life are solved by little acts of faith. If the sand can talk, we ask it, "Are you not afraid of the mighty sea?" It will surely answer, "Of course not! I know I'm an everlasting barrier that the sea can't prevail." The sand wouldn’t be boastful if it responded that way. Its power comes from the knowledge of its purpose and what it is in the scheme of things. The sand wouldn't care if the sea does its worst tantrums because God said that it's a boundary for the sea. Regardless of its power, the ocean can't do anything about that. The sea is powerless against the little sand.
If we know who we are in Jesus Christ and who he is to us, there is nothing to worry about, regardless of our status in life and the problems we face. If we believe who he says we are, we are unstoppable. He said that we are his children; he will keep us from all harm; he will allow no evil and plague to come near us; everything is possible; we are precious in his sight; we are his treasured possession; our sins are forgiven and we have eternal life; we are fearfully and wonderfully made; he is our provider; he is our healer; that his plans are to prosper us; we are more than conquerors; that he is our refuge. If only we have a faith the size of a mustard seed, we can tell our problems, big and small, to move away! Be confident in the Lord like the tiny-weeny sand.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging (Psalm 46:1-3).
B. Second, God can use the little things that we have for a greater purpose. There are many verses in the Bible wherein God used little things for his glory. In the time of Moses, God used a stick to warn Pharaoh. He utilized small stones to kill Goliath. Jesus multiplied two fishes and five loaves of bread to feed thousands of people. Paul, who persecuted Christians, became an apostle to the Gentiles. Jesus called ordinary people to become his disciples. God even directed the ravens to feed Elijah.
There is nothing God cannot use, whether it's a good or bad experience. He can repurpose our sufferings, failures, and mistakes into great testimonies. He can rewrite our life stories into living inspirations. The only question is, are you willing to work for the Lord's kingdom? If you think you are useless or little before the eyes of men because you have no degree, house, car, stable work, parents, enough money, husband or wife to help raise your kids, or no more enough strength because you're old, I'm telling you that you are wrong. As long as you breathe, you are precious in God's sight. Our church needs your help. Humility and brokenness make us willing and effective instruments for the Lord.
C. Third, trust the Lord who makes the sand. The sand can represent the earthly things we have acquired — possessions, education, knowledge, power, influence, and positions. It's not a coincidence that sand is used to tell time, like in the hourglass. This reminds us that what we have are temporary, fleeting things. Glitz and glamour fade away quickly. It’s the little things that can blind the eyes. Don’t underestimate others because you’re status is better. Allow God to use what you have. The sand is nothing without God. We are nothing without God. Don’t build on the shifting sand! Build your faith on the solid Rock that is Jesus Christ! Let’s put our trust in him only. Honor him; fear him.
Part IV. Conclusion
Remember the lessons we learned from the sand today when you go to the beach. Like the sand, let the words of the Lord be an everlasting boundary in our lives against the evil one. As the sand resists the raging sea every second of every day, may we always fight the devil so that he will flee from us. God is faithful; he will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. But when we are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that we can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Let’s pray.
