THE ISLANDS OF THE SEA

"The Islands of the Sea"

Pam Finlay

Acrylic on canvas

January 2016

In my spirit I hear “Islands” as I am painting this picture of an aerial view of the Torres Strait, situated in a stretch of water between Cape York Peninsula and Papua New Guinea, the most northern tip of Queensland, Australia.  The Lord has placed these islands on my heart since visiting Horn Island and Thursday Island in December 2015 for the “Creating an Atmosphere of Expectancy Faith Conference”. The ocean was painted first and then Holy Spirit prompted me to make the coastland from a collage of pieces, a mosaic of fragments unifying to make one whole.  He placed the first two scriptures below on my heart as I was painting and stirred up excitement in my spirit while I read and He revealed more and more scriptures as I meditated upon His word. 

The word “Islands” is mentioned 35 instances in scripture.  Upon research I discovered that in scripture “Island” is used as a symbol of the gentile nations.  Isle or Island also means coastland. 

 
Jesus is recovering all.  He is the restorer of all things.   His holy remnant are gathering, bringing forth a declaration of praise, are stirred up with His zeal, are being filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, believing in the truth and power of His word.  By faith we obey.  Our faith in God makes us whole.  His word changes us.  Jesus Christ is the strength of our life, He is our hope.  In Him we can walk in newness of life. 

Isaiah 11

9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
10 And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.
11 It shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people who are left, from Assyria and Egypt, from Pathros and Cush, from Elam and Shinar, from Hamath and the islands of the sea.
12 He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.(NKJV)

Isaiah 42

10 Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it.  You coastlands and you inhabitants of them!
11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits, let the inhabitants of Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory to the LORD, and declare His praise in the coastlands.
13 The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war.  He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies.

Isaiah 66

19 I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory.  And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. (NKJV)

 Isaiah 24

15 Therefore glorify the LORD God of Israel in the dawning light, the name of the LORD God of Israel in the coastlands of the sea.(NKJV)

The scripture from Isaiah 61 is also speaking to my heart. His people filled with everlasting joy, possessing double, such a glorious promise from the Lord. 

The greatness of our God.  Glory, glory, glory hallelujah to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He rules and reigns and the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of His glory.

Psalm 97
1 The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice!  May many islands be glad(ISV).
Blessings and love,

Pam