"The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!" (Psalm 93:3–4).
Have you ever seen those UFC advertisements where they put the pictures of the two fighters next to each other? Sometimes they have their fists up like they're ready to pounce right on the poster — Guy #1 vs. Guy #2. A battle is brewing.
In Psalm 93, the battle is between the floods and the LORD. The floods lift their voice, roaring in confidence, thundering their threats. But God is "mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea."
He is the God Almighty. The flooding waters have nothing on Him. God vs. Floods? God wins in a first-round 3-second knockout every time.
But what are these floods the psalmist sang about? For this, we must use our imaginations. I'm not worried about any actual flooding, at least not in my neck of the woods. But plenty of enemies threaten, attempting to decimate everything in their path. In floodlike fervor, these imposing forces seek to destroy, leaving chaos in their wake.
Seeing the floods in this way helps us envision how trials, sin, the world, and our spiritual foe all co-labor to unravel us. But God is bigger than each, and in Him, we have the victory.
When trials threaten, I must remember the nature and power of God. Some difficulties are so powerful they threaten to destroy everything and everyone around us, but with God's aid, we can overcome. He will take us through the waters and the fire (Isaiah 43:2). No floodlike trial is destined to destroy us.
When sin threatens, I must remember its floodlike destructive powers. It knocks at the door of my life (Genesis 4:7). Like leaven, it will permeate everything if I allow it entrance. Instead, I must remember the power of my God and ask for His strength against the potential onslaught of sin. Stay on your knees, son, and cry out to God for strength.
When the world threatens, I must remember its destiny. The world will pass away, along with its desires (1 John 2:17). Why should I invest in a kingdom destined for destruction? Why let that which will be destroyed an opportunity to kill me? My God is stronger than the world. Better, too.
When the spiritual foe threatens, I must remember the strength of God. The great deceiver, the devil, seeks to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). He wants to overrun and decimate my life. But, just as God said to Joshua, I must be bold and courageous in following my Lord (Joshua 1). He is greater than the flood of the foe.
God is on His throne. He must be trusted. Whatever today's flood looks like, let us be those who realize the strength of God to sustain us in its midst. He is mightier than the thunders of the sea.
