Water - - Water Everywhere!

We live in the Oak woods of Oroville, not too far from the Oroville Dam that holds the major water source for the State of California.

The Lake depends on the rain and also the melting snow in the mountains, to fill the Lake for our State water distribution. As water is released, a power plant also generates electricity for our area.

The past several weeks, it has been raining for days and nights. We have had more than ample rain. The ground on our acre of land has its own rivers and streams as it drains to the next property and on to a creek down the way and eventually on to meet the river.

Our soil is soaked to overflowing, and Lake Oroville is reaching its fill limit, causing water to be released to flow to the ocean. So much water in fact that it is creating flooding in the fore-bay parks and surrounding areas.

Water, water everywhere, with no apparent forecast of it stopping soon.

My thoughts go to other regions with bad flooding and also to the tragedy in Japan where earthquakes have created huge waves of water so tall as to destroy cities and take many lives.

I am reminded that in the Bible, because of the wickedness of the people, Noah was commissioned to build an ark for the safety of his family. In the days of Noah it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. At that time, God also opened up the underground water gates under the earth in order to send torrents of water to cover and flood the entire world.

I cannot answer why the heavens and the earth groan so violently. I do realize that many events happen to disrupt our comfort zone. Occurrences that are out of our hands and are not in our control can cause us pain and sorrow. Often at those times, our hearts fear and cannot be still. We seek to quiet ourselves, but we cannot find relief and rest.

Regardless of our circumstances, God has provided an ark of safety and security in his everlasting arms. He will sustain us even if we must go through uncomfortable times, and He will be found by those who trust in Him. Listen, for he speaks!

His voice shouts to the storm, “Peace be still.”

And unto you he whispers, “For I am your God and I will never leave you or forsake you! Hush now, and rest in me, my peace I give unto you.”