Over The Willows Warning
Well, it was getting to be springtime up in the mountains and most of the cricks and streams ran over the willows. Not that we have many willows up in the forest. But it’s just an Old West term that warns of high water.
If a trail boss rode back to the herd after he had scouted up ahead and declared the river was over the willows, it meant the water flowed at flood stage. Several hundred yards of swimming the herd loomed.
Danger Ahead
No cowboy on the cattle drive wanted to hear, “Flooding over the willows!” Chances mounted that many a cow would drown or they’d lose a horse. And even a rider as well.
Flood waters have sent chills into the hearts of humanity ever since the days of Noah, I suppose. If you’ve never experienced the unstoppable power of raging water to change and destroy all in its path, you’ve probably spent most of your life in the Sahara.
God’s Promise
But according to the Lord’s promise, we don’t have to worry about this whole earth being destroyed by floods ever again, do we? Nope. Not that way.
But the term over the willows still describes the events of those last days when God’s just wrath will finally be turned loose on a world that seems to delight in ignoring Him.
Isaiah 24:18 says in that day “The floodgates of heaven are opened, and the foundations of the earth shake.”
The End Times
Jesus used the analogy of the great flood to chronicle those last days before His return.
He said, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:37-39).
You see, a judgement more powerful and lasting than a flood is coming on this world, for all except those who have accepted the invitation to enter the ark. It will take a personal commitment to Jesus Christ to escape the finality of that day.
It’s something to seriously consider with all that’s happening around you. Many sincere folks who seem to be in the know believe the spiritual waters are already rushing over the willows.
Stephen Bly
Circa 1995
Willows and Lake Image by 👀 Mabel Amber, who will one day from Pixabay
Flooding Waters and Apocalyptic Horses Image by Brigitte Werner from Pixabay
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