In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
– Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)
It was approximately 4,000 years after this event that God the Son hovered over the waters and took a mortal child of his, Peter, along for the ride:
22Immediately [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
– Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV)
Though they might not have known it at the time, the disciples in the boat recognized the Spirit of God when they saw him: “It is a ghost!” God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit were all three present and communally active in the creation of the world (Genesis 1:1-2, John 1:1-3). When Immanuel (literally, “God with us”) walked on the water He was in familiar territory. Why should we who believe in Jesus for salvation and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, ever lack for expectant optimism that we can see God do miracles with water? The God who hovered over the waters at creation and walked on it at the incarnation now invites us out of the boat to be with Him as He subdues chaotic waters.
Is there any water problem in the world today that is impossible to solve when God is present?