The River Always Wins

In central Indiana where I live, this time last year my lawn was drying up from a drought. But last week, heavy rains (more than a foot over three days in some parts of the state) brought historic levels of flooding. Many homes and businesses were lost. The White River, which usually flows peacefully through a park where I take morning walks, crested on Saturday afternoon, breaking a 113-year-old record and destroying a bridge across a local street. Hundreds of residents were rescued and evacuated by first responders, and at least seven people in our state have died because of the storms and floods.

One shocked resident shook her head glumly and told a TV reporter, “The river always wins.”

Her sad lament could be echoed by countless others around the world who have been ravaged by hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and floods. We can’t keep strong winds from blowing, high tides from rising, and powerful currents from pushing aside anything in their path. When rain falls incessantly, the river wins and people lose.

But as the floodwaters rose last weekend, God’s people were an unstoppable force. Churches immediately opened their doors to shelter those who had lost their homes. Some partnered with the Red Cross and government agencies to collect relief supplies. The home office of International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES) is located in Noblesville, Indiana, an area affected by the flooding. IDES officials quickly contacted church and community leaders to assess needs and offer assistance.to

Yes, natural disasters are powerful and devastating. But the swift, gracious response of IDES and partner churches demonstrates a different kind of power. For nearly 2,000 years, the Lord’s people—motivated by love—have been like individual drops of water forming a mighty river. Their persistent, faith-driven efforts have brought hope and healing in times of devastation and dismay.

Early this week, I stood on a bridge near my home watching the raging river under my feet. I thought about the Israelites standing at the edge of the Jordan, preparing to enter Canaan. Scripture says, “Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest” (Joshua 3:15, New International Version, emphasis added). It looked impossible for Joshua to move all the Hebrews across the flooded river. But if they succeeded, a harvest was ready for them to enjoy. When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stepped into the water, the river stopped flowing and the people crossed over on dry ground—a miracle comparable to the parting of the Red Sea four decades earlier. The flood looked unconquerable, but the river didn’t win that day.

The Good Shepherd leads us by still, quiet waters (Psalm 23:2). Another Psalm acknowledges that we live in a dangerous world where “waters roar and foam” and “mountains quake with their surging,” but despite these threats, “we will not fear.” After all, “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God” (Psalm 46:2-4). Do you remember how this Psalm begins? “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (v. 1).

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would be like “rivers of living water” flowing from within those who believe in him (John 7:38-39). When rivers of mud tear the heart out of America’s heartland, another kind of river brings compassion into the devastation. Like an unstoppable force, this refreshing river flows through our friends at IDES, and through local congregations and individual Christians all over the world, who care for the dying, minister to the grieving, rebuild broken neighborhoods, and bring God’s mercy where homes, health, and hope have been shattered.

One day the river of mud will be replaced by “the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal” (Revelation 22:1). Until then, we must keep serving, praying, giving, and trusting that in the end, the river of life will certainly win.