Releasing the Dam

How much do you allow the Holy Spirit to move in your life?

Let’s take a step back and look at the concepts of rivers. Rivers typically flow downstream toward a large body of water. When rivers are completely obstructed, we would call this a dam. Many of us set up dams in our spiritual lives that act as rebellion to the Holy Spirit from doing what He wishes to do through us. Whether built out of fear, a lack of forgiveness, sin, or distraction, these dams act to impede the richness and fullness of the plans God wants to do through you. Release the dam.

When I look at rivers, the most beautiful parts are when the water overflows or crashes against the rock and obstacles. For those who have been white water rafting, it is these points that we find exhilarating, but also dangerous. Spiritually, it is these points where we see God meeting us-right in the tuberluance, using it to grow us, and mold us to overcome the obstacles of sin and struggle.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.”
— Isaiah 43:2

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9

Water in the Word

The Hebrew word for water, מַיִם (mayim), appears over 580 times in the Old Testament. It’s one of the most repeated and powerful images in all of Scripture. Interestingly, many of the most memorable appearances of mayim are in moments where water is portrayed as a threat—a symbol of chaos, judgment, or fear. And yet, time and time again, God uses water as a means of deliverance, provision, and life.

• At Creation, God’s Spirit hovered over the mayim, the deep, formless chaos, bringing order from disorder.

  “...and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters [mayim].”
  — Genesis 1:2

• In the Flood, the world was judged through water, yet Noah and his family were saved by God's grace.

  “The waters [mayim] prevailed so mightily on the earth...”
  — Genesis 7:19

• At the Red Sea, the Israelites were trapped by threatening waters, but God parted the sea to bring them through.

  “The waters [mayim] were divided.”
  — Exodus 14:21

• In the Psalms, water often symbolizes distress or overwhelming emotions.

  “Save me, O God! For the waters [mayim] have come up to my neck.”
  — Psalm 69:1

But Scripture also shows us how mayim can represent blessing, refreshment, and the Spirit of God when submitted to His authority:

• Water from the rock in the wilderness quenched Israel’s thirst—a picture of God's provision.

  “And water [mayim] came out abundantly, and the congregation drank.”
  — Numbers 20:11

• In Psalm 23, water symbolizes peace and restoration.

  “He leads me beside still waters [mayim].”
  — Psalm 23:2

• In prophecy, water becomes a symbol of the Holy Spirit and new transformative life:

  “On that day living waters [mayim chayyim] shall flow out from Jerusalem...”
  — Zechariah 14:8

Living open to the Holy Spirt

Over and over, God shows us that He is not overwhelmed by the waters; we are. And yet, He invites us to trust Him in the chaos, not just after it has passed.

The challenge is that we often try to live as closed systems. We carry the pressure of solving everything ourselves, building internal dams in an attempt to manage life’s storms. But we were never meant to bear that alone.

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” — John 7:38

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” — Zechariah 4:6

When the Holy Spirit flows freely through us, even the obstacles become places of transformation. Not always easy. Not always smooth. But undeniably alive.

Whether in judgment or joy, chaos or calm, water in Scripture reminds us that God is sovereign over the storm. He takes what threatens us and turns it into a path of salvation. Mayim reminds us that we are not meant to fear the storms or floods before us when we walk with the One who walks on water, parts the seas, and commands the storms to be still.