Hope Amid Fearsome Floods

When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19

A flood is a terrifying event. 

Since the first worldwide flood of Noah’s generation, massive deluges of water have wrought devastation upon communities, homes, and lives. 

The great Mississippi River flood of 1927 was the most destructive river flood in American history, covering more than 27,000 square miles, including the Delta region where I grew up. Two years ago, Helene swept through North Carolina and east Tennessee where we live now with her hurricane gales and rain, transforming the gentle Nolichucky River into a water force greater than that of Niagara Falls. In recent weeks, a glacier collapse in the Himalayas of Nepal sent debris and water crashing through populated areas where the death toll continues to rise.

My husband and I are currently on a journey through West Virginia mountains, beset by flash-flood warnings due to intensive cloudbursts. Rivers and creeks, overflowing with waves of foamy brown water, have converged into Blackwater Falls in the northeast corner of the state, with torrents of water exploding over the rocky cascades into deadly whitecaps below.

There’s nothing beautiful about floods or the disasters they leave behind.

Scripture uses the same word to describe enemy assaults. Picture a massive army of armed soldiers surging over a hill into a small village, ripping down homes and destroying the inhabitants. It’s a fearsome image, indeed.

Do you ever feel as if that same kind of enemy flood has overtaken you? Do you find yourself drowning in a billowing current of debris, unable to surface? Some days (and especially nights) can be like that, when we’re battered by taunts from the devil and his influence in our sinful actions.

In Chapter 59, Isaiah provided a grim litany of the wickedness of Israel against God: crooked ways of lies, murder, and other evils. As “dead men in desolate places,” the Israelites had no prospects for salvation, no hope for defending themselves against the torrents of enemies who would inevitably arrive.

While Isaiah offered foreboding prophecies, he also gave a glimmer of hope—the promise of a Redeemer. God Himself would send a righteous Intercessor to bring justice against the adversaries. This Savior would repay with fury and vengeance, vindicating those who turned from their sins in repentance. His Spirit would hold up His banner of protection for His people.

Friend, that Rescuer remains our Defender today when we’re faced with floods of suffering at the hand of our enemy, Satan. Our Redeemer Friend is Jesus. When the banks of the floodwaters collapse around us, Jesus is our Rock. His Spirit and His words are in our hearts and mouths, from generation to generation, through His covenant with us. He hears our prayers.

The next time a flood threatens us, may we plant our feet high upon His solid rock ground. May we escape the deep waters of ruin that Satan attempts to pour over us. May we find ourselves still standing afterward, holding firm to our faith that God is with us in every storm. 

Then, may you look back at the floods from a distance, as we did in West Virginia, awed at the power of God…and knowing He is more powerful than anything Satan can throw against us.

Holy Lord, Author and Master of Creation, please be with me when the floods arrive in my life. Hold me fast in Your grip of grace, and do not let me succumb to the torrents around me. Keep me secure in Your word, full of the promises that You will never let me go or let Satan have any kind of victory over me. Please give me the peace that comes only from You—in the covenant promises that You are my eternal Redeemer and the Savior of generations to come. In Your name, Jesus, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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