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The word “flood” is on the lips of many in our area and the nation as flood waters have devastated many families in our communities, Texas and Louisiana. Our prayer, financial and physical support is with the victims of the floods in all of these locations. As God opens doors, we will look forward to opportunity to have “boots on the ground” participation.

The word “flood” in scripture does not have one positive connotation. The first mention of the word flood in Genesis 6:14 introduces us to the judgment of God upon the sin of the world. The last mention is found in Revelation 12:15-16, in reference to the attempt of Satan to destroy Israel in the last half of the tribulation period.

And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Revelation 12:15-16

There is debate among Bible scholars if this is a literal flood of water or a flood of wicked soldiers against God’s people. The scripture gives evidence of both. In Psalm 18:4 the scripture states:

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. Psalm 18:4

David was compassed about with fear as the floods of ungodly men made him afraid. In Isaiah 59:19, the flood of Satan’s armies do pursue God’s people.

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. Isaiah 59:19-20

Revelation 12:15-16 is the fulfilment of this prophecy in Isaiah 59. As Satan is charging hard after Israel to destroy her in the great tribulation, God will stop Satan and his armies in their tracks. We should not, however, rule out a literal flood as a method of Satan to destroy God’s people. We know that he will have power to deceive with signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). It is very possible that he will feign God’s power and try to deluge and destroy God’s people.

As we all know from recent events, a flood of water is one of the most destructive forces in nature. If this is the case, however, God will counter with a supernatural absorption of the water into the earth as it swallows up the flood and protects God’s people. We understand that we are to take the Bible literally until we can’t so this explanation shouldn’t be taken off the table. After all, Psalm 55 does describe a great storm and tempest that would cause David to want to fly away and be at rest in the wilderness from the wrath of his enemy.

Having said that, it’s worth noting that in the book of Exodus when God delivered Israel from bondage, both elements of a great “flood” were evident. Jacob’s children appeared to be in great trouble as a great army of Egypt perused them. It would be similar to a Psalm 18:4 as a flood as evil men encompassed about God’s people. Fortunately, God in his providence and great mercy protects his people. He used a flood of water to swallow up the armies of Pharaoh as they pursued God’s people across the Red Sea to destroy them (Exodus 15:8-12).

It is also worth noting that when Korah rebelled against God and his leadership the LORD opened the earth and swallowed them up in similar fashion as Pharaoh’s army! He didn’t need water to encompass God’s enemies, he simply swallowed them up as the water of the Red Sea with a tomb of earth! That is impressive!

And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. Numbers 16:32-33

HERE IS THE POINT.

It may seem at times as though the floods of trouble flow over us and we despair even of life as Paul said to the (2 Corinthians 1:8). It is comforting to know that in the floods of life God is always there to deliver his people. As we pray and participate in helping those ravished by the recent floods may God fill our heart to overflowing with his love so we can bring deliverance where the devil wants destruction. Just as God absorbs the flood of Revelation 12:15-16 with the earth, Jesus has swallowed up the flood of our sin with his own Son.

This week a man in our church contacted me about helping the flood victims in Houston. It was particularly sweet because this man had himself been ravished by the recent floods waters in our area. God often allows the flood waters in our lives so we can remember to depend upon him, see his mighty deliverance, fear his powerful judgment, be filled with his abundant love to overflowing and moved in compassion to help others with godly sympathy and empathy.

Life in Christ

Romans 8 reminds us that nothing, not even death can swallow up the life we have in Christ! It is because Jesus has allowed the flood of our sin and shame to eclipse him on the cross that we are now free from the condemnation of death and hell. We may face a variety of floods in life, some physical, some spiritual some emotional but all absorbed in the great grace and glory of God. We, like Israel in the tribulation, have been delivered miraculously by the love of God on the cross.

If your life is a disaster, allow God to recover you. Many endanger their lives and even perish because they are deceived by the power of flood waters. Sin is just like that in our lives. In our self-righteousness, we tell ourselves we can handle our sin, we can get away with our transgressions against God and others. It is often not until we are over our heads in sin and death seems the only way out that we actually cry out for help. It is possible your life has been consumed with one flood after the next.

Even “prosperity” can flood your soul with many sorrows and cause one to drown in despair. When you are without hope, Jesus is hope. He will deliver you from the weights and sins that flood your soul if you simply call out to him for salvation believing he is your only acceptable sacrifice for sin. He is waiting to pull you from the flood of death if you call upon him today! If you would like to learn more about God’s great deliverance from the flood of sin and death, please contact me at contact@hbfcass.org. We would love to share the love of Christ as it is good news to the soul and floods our life with light.