Saturday, October 24, 2026From the news

When the Waters Rise: Standing Firm in the Flood

Though floodwaters threaten homes and communities in the Four Corners region, God remains a refuge and a near help who does not leave His people to face the storm alone.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

Psalm 46:1-2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Psalm 91:2

This week, many of our neighbors in the Four Corners region have been living with a fear that is hard to put into words. Intense rain slammed the area, rivers rose over their banks, towns declared evacuations and emergencies, and rescuers have been pulling people to safety. Forecasts say more rain is expected through the weekend. If you have a family member in that region, or if you have simply watched the reports with a tightening chest, you are not overreacting. Water is powerful, and when it comes into a home or a town, it takes away a sense of ground beneath our feet. Let us begin by acknowledging that plainly before God. Some of you reading this may be packing bags tonight, or waiting on a phone call, or grieving losses already counted. He sees you, and He is not unmoved.

Scripture never pretends that the floods of life are imaginary. The psalmists knew storms well. Yet they also knew where to run. Psalm 46 opens with words that have steadied countless frightened hearts: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea" (Psalm 46:1-2, NIV). Notice the honesty of that picture. The psalmist does not say the earth stays still. He says that even if it shakes, God is present in the shaking. The word "ever-present" matters here. God is not a distant observer waiting for the storm to pass. He is near, close enough to hear the one who cries out in the night.

The prophet Isaiah speaks directly to people facing rivers and fire. God says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you" (Isaiah 43:2, NIV). I want to be careful and gentle here. This promise does not mean every home will be spared or that no one will be hurt. God's people have suffered real loss in every age. What the promise does mean is that the waters will not have the final word, and that the Lord walks with His people through them. Passing through is not the same as drowning. The current may be strong, but the Lord has not let go of your hand.

So what might faithfulness look like for us this weekend? First, let us be practical, because God often comforts through the hands of others. If you live far from the danger, consider how you might support relief efforts, pray specifically for rescue crews, or check on someone who has been evacuated. If you are in the path of the water, follow the guidance of local officials, and do not be ashamed to accept help. Wisdom and prayer belong together. Second, let us bring our fear to the Lord rather than carrying it alone. Psalm 91 calls Him "my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust" (Psalm 91:2, NIV). Speak that sentence aloud as a choice of trust, even if your voice shakes. Third, remember that you are not the only one watching the river. The Lord is watching it with you, and He knows every family, every pet, every stored photograph and heirloom in the path of the flood.

Take heart, dear friend. The floods of this season will eventually recede, and communities will begin the slow work of cleanup and rebuilding. Until then, let your anchor be the unchanging character of God, who has proven Himself faithful in every generation. Whatever waters you face this week, whether in the Four Corners or in your own private storm, you may stand on this promise: the Lord is near, and He is able to keep you.