Let It Rain!

“I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing” (Ezekiel 34:26 NKJ).

Singing in the Rain is a classic film, casting the movie industry’s transition from silent films to sound. The story may not match, but the choice is always before us as to how we will respond to outside circumstances. 

In the scripture text, rain is a reason for rejoicing. In arid climates and desert places rain is not something to dread. We should never curse the clouds that promise to bring relief from the drought. Fruitfulness and harvest are dependent upon the rain. The increase of the season and the promise of seed for another field will only come when the heavens open and the rains bring the needed moisture for growth and reaping.

Throughout the biblical books of the prophets the promise of rain always depicted blessings, and the lack of rain was frequently the result of judgment. When there was no rain the crops failed, there was famine, and people died as a result. However, when the rains came in their seasons, there was joy and the assurance of provision. No wonder it was called, “showers of blessing.”

God sends seasons of spiritual rain, pouring out blessings on believers and on those who do not recognize God’s gift of provision. We are the recipients of God’s increase, because He loves us enough to send an abundance of rain. That’s reason enough to rejoice in the rain!


Theme passage:
“Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring. (Joel 2:23 NLT)

Let It Rain!

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: … A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 NKJ).

Every year has its seasons, and so does every life. Once we understand, the ebb and flow of life, we can live in such a way to recognize these changing moments and learn to rejoice in every season. 

Admittedly, there are seasons that provide very little occasions to rejoice. In times of loss, or death, or great need, we see very little reason for optimism. However, after a few more days, weeks, or maybe a whole lifetime, we may be afforded the opportunity to look back and see some grand purpose or great scheme that has produced good even in the most adverse circumstances. Perhaps this was what Paul referred to when he wrote, "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NKJ).

Recognize that we are called to His great purpose. Though we may not understand it at the time, God is working through us to accomplish His will. We may find ourselves in a season in which we refuse to see anything good. In those times, if we can somehow learn to rejoice in God, trusting in His providence, and holding to His hand, we will find there is something over which we can rejoice.

Natures seasons can help us to understand that it is essential to have both heat and cold, times of rain and storm, and other times of sun and dry conditions. The oceans have their tides, the moon has its phases, climate experiences changes independent of our influence. These lessons teach us the importance of maintaining faith, trusting in God, and rejoicing in every season. Rejoice in His faithfulness, rejoice in times of change, and know that He will be with us and will provide for every need. 


Theme passage:
“Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring. (Joel 2:23 NLT)

Let It Rain!

“See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain” (James 5:7 NKJ).

We could learn a little about patience from the farmer. His success is the reward of his work ethic, and his understanding of the seasons. Early in the trade he learns about planning, preparing, and planting. He also learns to practice patience as the seed and the soil work in tandem to produce the miraculous metamorphosis of growth, maturity, and reproduction. The harvest comes at the fulfillment of the process. 

The variable in the science of agriculture is the predictability of the rain. Irrigation is our answer to the lack of rain, but in many cultures of the past that was not an option. Their only hope for a harvest was that the rains would come in their seasons. The early rains prepared the soil. The latter rains multiplied the promise of an abundant harvest. If the rains did not come and the crops were blighted there would be little or no harvest, no produce to trade, and very little to eat. Famine was the result of years of lean harvest and no rain. 

The prophets predicted judgment and God shut the windows of heaven. When the prophets promised blessings, God opened the heavens and rain came in abundance at the time it was needed the most. 

There is a promise in the seed, in the season, and in the Savior. The seed possesses the DNA to produce incredible multiplication and an abundant harvest. The season comes year after year in its time in predictable cycles. The Savior hold the final element, the rain. Our prayer is, “Let it rain!”

Sometimes we sow the seed in its season and see no signs of growth or production. We find ourselves waiting on the promise to be fulfilled. We pray for the rain and see the showers of His blessings, but ask ourselves, “When will be see the harvest?”

Paul said, “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT). We can rejoice while waiting. We know there is a reaping promised. We rejoice because of His faithfulness. He will send the rain and multiply the harvest!



Theme passage:
“Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring. (Joel 2:23 NLT)

Dead Things Come Alive!

“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31 NIV).

Throughout the community of Bethany, Lazarus’ death and the grief of his sisters, Mary and Martha, was widely felt and many came to join in the grief and offer condolences. The absence of Jesus was noticed, especially when it took so long for His arrival. They would not be able to understand God’s purpose if He had been there earlier, so Jesus delayed His arrival at the family’s home. 

Lazarus was in the tomb four days before Jesus stepped on the scene and uttered three words that changed everything, “Lazarus, come forth!” That was, without doubt, the most noteworthy miracle up to that moment in the ministry of Jesus. An empty tomb remained as a testimony of His love for a friend and His power over death. 

As a result of this miracle many came to believe in Jesus and embraced His ministry. Others, especially among the religious leaders, increased their determination to stop this movement and stomp out any suggestion that Jesus might be the Messiah. It was too late for that. Increased crowds clamored to see Him, heard His message, and pledged to follow Him.
Jesus forecasted His own rejection by the scholars, His suffering through their wrath, and ultimate humiliation of a sinner’s execution. In spite of these predictions He made no preparation for interment. “Let the dead bury the death,” He once quipped, and now it seems there would be no burial place for His body. 

It was intentional that Jesus did not secure a burial plot. He didn’t plan to stay there long. Jesus said, “… that he must be killed and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31 NIV). Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be given, “a grave among criminals, but he ended up instead in a rich man’s tomb” (Isaiah 53:9 TPT). Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, obtained permission from Pilate to take the body of Jesus and bury Him in his own tomb. It was a temporary occupancy, a short term rental. Only a three day stay, and the empty tomb became evidence to the resurrection of Jesus Christ! He lives! Dead things come alive!



Theme passage:
“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives” (Romans 6:4 NLT).