An unknown author recently described this past year: “Year 2020 has been a brutal, perfect storm of a pandemic, a contentious election, racial unrest, financial troubles and conspiracy theories.”  One way of visualizing this storm is to see it as a rising flood.  

The approaching flood waters are a warning to wild men (men of faith) reading this blog.  The water will continue to rise before our very eyes. It will not level off for some time. God’s intervention in history has often been portrayed as a flood. The Psalmist prayed, “Surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him” (Ps 32:6).   

A flood describes God’s retribution of his own people. “See, the Lord has one who is powerful and strong.  Like a hailstorm and a destructive wind, like a driving rain and a flooding downpour he will throw it forcefully to the ground” (Is. 28:2).  Here God is speaking of the king of Assyria bringing destruction on Israel.

Committed followers of Jesus will need to be prepared for a flood of opposition and confrontation coming from those who have gained influence in our culture. Our experience could be similar to the Psalmist, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of the deep waters” (Ps 18:16).  This blog could very well be speaking to more than one man who feels almost overcome by the flood waters of our destitute culture.   

In Psalm 69, David’s prayer give expression to being overcome by a flood. “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.  I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.  I have come into the deep waters, the flood engulfs me (vv1-2).  You might not identify with David at this point in your journey, but trust me, many of you will face a torrent that will cause you to be anxious, doubt, and become discouraged.   

Each man needs to realize that God has allowed such floods throughout history in order to bring renewal to his people.  We are going to experience the flood and possibly its aftermath.  We need to be praying as Jeremiah did, knowing that he would endure the judgment of God. “So correct us, God, as you see best.  Don’t lose your temper.  That would be the end of us. Vent your anger on the godless nations, who refuse to acknowledge you and on the people who won’t pray to you” (Jer. 11:24-25). 

To endure the coming flood upon our land, we first and foremost must make a choice. We are either all in for Jesus or we could be swept away by the flood.  This does not mean physical loss, but the loss of soul.  Jesus said in Mark 8:36, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”.

Secondly, take inventory of your priorities and commitments.  Are you building on the rock or on sinking sand?  If you are honest, you know the difference.  “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock… (Matt 7:24).

Thirdly, be sure you are in the ark.  This of course is the body of Christ.  The ark is built on relationships.  Make sure you are part of the body, and not a lone wolf. Fourthly, when you feel like you are sinking, cry out to Jesus for mercy.  Remember Jesus words when he comes to his disciples in the storm.  “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40).