Put Up the Floodgates

We live in a river town. The mighty Ohio flows by the Port of Paducah bringing both beauty and industry to our area. Jim and I have spent several pleasant evenings in the summer sitting down by the river watching the boats and barges go up and down that beautiful waterway. There is a floodwall that is beautifully painted with murals portraying the history of the city of Paducah and many people come to our city and enjoy the artwork on that wall.

This last week access to that beautiful resting spot was cut off because the river had risen to a dangerous level and it was thought that the floodgates would have to be installed. The heavy rains over the last couple of weeks up and down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers have caused massive flooding and many have lost their homes. The news has been full of pictures of some of the worst damage in many years due to flooding. Thousands of people have lost their homes and some have even lost their lives.

We are blessed to have a series of 51 floodgates that can be installed and protect, for the most part, our little city from the devastating flood waters. During the great flood of 1937 the city of Paducah was devastated by floodwaters, therefore the flood wall with the 51 gates was built after that event to protect those who live within the city.

I couldn’t help but think of some spiritual applications we could gain from this event. After all, danger lurks around us all of the time because Satan is ever-present and working to destroy our lives. Temptation sometimes rises higher and higher in our lives just like the flood waters do. Will I have that arsenal of floodgates to fortify that “spiritual wall,” thus keeping my heart safe from Satan?

• Knowledge of God’s Word because I have spent time in studying His message to me and the examples He has given of how to handle different temptations in life.
• Time spent talking to my Father in prayer and letting Him hear my voice in “prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.”
• When weariness overcomes me, remember the example that Jesus set of rest and solitude.
• When my patience wears thin, remember that this is what builds strength and character in me.
• When the peace of our nation is threatened, remember that “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind.”
• When my marriage is under attack, implement the kind of love found in 1 Corinthians 13.
• When rearing godly children seems like a daunting task, remember that those children are a heritage from the Lord and the fruit of the womb a reward.

• When my church family is weakening, remember the admonition from God for the strong to help the weak.
• When I’m feeling overcome and alone, remember God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”  Eph. 6:10-11

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