When the flood waters rise

READ PSALM 93

Psalm 93:3-4 (ESV)

³ The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. ⁴ Mightier than the thunders of many waters,    mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!

It was a day I'll never forget.

On May 1, 2010 my friend Sean and I drove to Costco to purchase supplies for the youth event we were hosting later that evening. As we pulled into the parking lot the sky grew dark. Rain had been predicted in the forecast and there were some reports that it would be heavy in places, but my hope was that it would pass and not affect our evening plans.

We pulled into a parking space and the sky opened up. It didn't start as a slow rain. It seemed more like a bucket was being poured out onto the truck. The downpour was overwhelming and there was no way we were going to try and run into the store. So we decided to wait out the rain until it let up a little.

For 30 minutes we sat in the truck, and the downpour didn't let up. In fact, it became stronger. We decided it might be a good idea to head back home, and as we pulled out of the parking lot we saw how dangerous of a situation we were already in. A few streets over from Costco a parking lot had already filled up with water like it was a cereal bowl. Cars that had been parked there were floating upside down and all we could see were their wheels. The main road began to look more like a small river that flowed across our path.

Sean got me back to my car and I quickly jumped in to try and get home. I knew my home was safe because it was on top of a hill, but some of my friends were not so lucky. Calls immediately began to come in that flood water was pouring into basements and rising up through the floor boards of multiple homes.

Sarah and my children were visiting family up north so I knew they were safe, and I knew my house was safe, so I re-routed and drove to help friends. Flood water was everywhere, and in a short period of time I observed waterfalls coming off of rock walls that are not "normal" locations for waterfalls. At one point I turned onto a road and saw the road had completely disappeared and a large storage shed floated past me. That's when I realized that I was in danger as well. One wrong turn and I could find myself stranded in rising flood waters.

The Nashville downpour lasted for two days. For two whole days it didn't let up...Anyone who was in Nashville and lived through it has their own story. It was unbelievable.

Our Psalm today talks about flood waters rising in our lives. They will come and they will be unpredictable. One moment life is fine, and the next thing you know the sky opens up and trials, adversity, and overwhelming change refuse to let up. At first you tell yourself, "I can wait this out. Surely it will pass quickly. I'm fine."

But in the back of your mind you know you are holding on for dear life, and if one more thing "gives way" you're not sure you will be able to handle it.

My friend, I want to encourage you. Don't give up!

When it feels like the water is rising to just beneath your chin and you're terrified you'll go under, cry out to God for rescuing! Reach out for His strength to endure.

Verses 3 and 4 of Psalm 93 show us a rising flood. The water is roaring and threatening to take the Psalmist under, but at the end of verse 4 we are told these reassuring words...

The Lord on High is Mighty!

Don't ever forget these words, my friend. The Lord is mightier than the difficulties of your life. The Lord is mightier than the problem you are facing right now. The Lord is MIGHTIER!

And because He is Mightier I want you to know this, you're gonna be okay. Persevere in faith. Cry out to the Lord for rescue! In His goodness and faithfulness He will hear your cry. You will be saved. In Jesus Name! And once you are saved, you will testify of His goodness. When the flood waters rise you have one of two choices:

1. Give up and sink.

2. Call upon His Name.

#2 comes with a great story to tell.

Note: On Friday, October 23 at Crosswalk Church, I will be hosting a leadership event called Live 2 Lead with my good friend and Maxwell Leadership Coach, Stephanie Richardson. Click the Live 2 Lead picture below for more information and to purchase your ticket. (Click Reserve Your Access for the Registration section.)

Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN. If you would like to support this website and make it possible for this page to stay active and these devotions to reach a wider audience, CLICK HERE

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