Gentle or Overwhelming Trials: You Choose
“Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoices over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria with all his pomp. It will overflow all its channels, run over all its banks” Isaiah 8: 6,7.
These verses contain a principle regarding trials found throughout the Bible: By the choices we make, sometimes without even realizing it, we either choose the “gently flowing waters”, or the “mighty floodwaters”.
To read the whole passage for context, click here.
What the Bible Says About Trials
The gently flowing waters are found in the way of obedience, walking in love, submitting to God, and resisting temptation.
But life will not be without afflictions and trials, no matter what course we take, of course. In fact, God promises that “many are the afflictions of the righteous. . . ” Psalm 34:19.
But, according to the Bible, we can have peace and hope and comfort in our trials. And will ultimately be delivered out of them. The second half of Psalm 34:19 above tells us as much: “. . . but the Lord delivers him from them all”
He will be with us and strengthen us in our trials and deliver us out of them (Psalm 91:14,15).
I believe the gently flowing waters of Shiloah represent looking to God to meet our needs and take care of us, instead of sin (addictions, compulsive behaviors etc).
Gently Flowing or Mighty Floodwaters
The mighty floodwaters, on the other hand, are found in the way of disobedience and rebellion. In the path of sowing to the flesh and going our own way.
This is the opposite of walking in love. It is instead meeting our own needs (apart from God’s provision) and taking care of ourselves by sinning (sin is always an illegitimate attempt to meet a legitimate need).
This is the broad path that leads to destruction. Whereas the narrow path that leads to life is the “gently flowing waters”(Mathew 7: 13, 14).
This is basically the difference between learning the easy way or the hard way. We know we’re not going to get out of all suffering in this life.
But we do get to choose whether we suffer the “gentle” suffering of submitting to God and resisting temptation.
Or the overwhelming flood that will come upon us if we continue to sow the flesh, resist God and submit to sin.
I don’t believe it’s God’s will that we suffer devastating disasters and calamities. But this is what happens if we take the broad path.
If we continue to yield to the sinful nature rather than walk in love, we will suffer the mighty floodwaters of misery.
But if we submit to God. And trust in and wait for Him to meet our needs rather than looking to sin, we will still suffer.
Saying no to temptation when every fiber of your being is crying out to give in, is a form of suffering. It’s a death to sin, to needs, and ultimately to self.
Gentle Waters Protect from Overwhelming Flood
Not allowing yourself to have your own way is painful. But the pain is short-lived. And the peace that follows is lasting. Make no mistake, though, it is suffering.
But please hear what I’m not saying: I’m NOT suggesting obedient Christians don’t go through other kinds of painful trials as well.
I know from personal experience they do. And the Bible tells us from cover to cover they do. I’m just saying in comparison to disaster and calamity, they are gentle.
Also, sometimes our trials FEEL like disasters in the moment, when we are in the heat of it. But the Lord in His Word promises to “. . . deliver us out of them all”.
So eventually, in the end, we will see the salvation of the Lord. And thereby avert disaster.
The Bible Tells us David’s Trials Were Overwhelming
We must also remember that there are consequences for sin even after repentance and restoration have occurred. Think about the effect of king David’s sin with Bathsheba.
He was forgiven and fully reinstated to his former status with God. He didn’t die, though he rightfully should have, given the nature of his sin. And he got to remain king.
And yet the chilling words of Nathan the prophet proved painfully true: “Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house” (2 Samuel 12).
Ultimately, I believe it is the suffering of the gently flowing waters that will protects us from the overwhelming flood.
To read another post with similar thoughts to Gentle or Overwhelming Trials: You Choose, you may be interested in The Narrow Road and Self-Control in the Bible. Or you may be interested in How the Story of The Israelites Parallels Our Story.
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