The blessing of rain

Submitted by RR on Fri, 03/07/2020 - 16:11

Although the weather has been unsettled this week, we have had a number of days of cloudless blue skies this Spring – a perfect backdrop for the swifts slicing through the air high above my head. Much as I enjoy that sight, my favourite skyscape is that of blue skies with big, fluffy white cumulus clouds.

Cloudless blue skies often seem harsh, unyielding, almost metallic.

They remind me of the curses on disobedience found in Deuteronomy and Leviticus:

And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. (Deuteronomy 28:23) (See also Leviticus 26:18-20)

How the Israelites of Elijah’s day must have longed to see a cloud! ‘Ask the Lord for rain,’ says Zechariah, ‘in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.’

Rain in Scripture is often a token of God’s favour; it is one of the blessings on obedience recorded in those same chapters of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. To us, rain may not seem such a precious resource as it would were we living in other parts of the world, but nonetheless we cannot produce it, or control it, by our own efforts. Just as we are totally dependent on God for the physical blessing of rain, so do we depend on Him for spiritual blessings. Wherever we live, God’s blessings, spiritually, are bestowed on those whose lives are lived in obedience to His word. May that be true of us in doctrine and in practice – in word and in work – both as individual believers and as a church.

Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:15-17)

When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin because You afflict them, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance. (2 Chronicles 6:26-27)

Come, let us to the Lord our God

With contrite hearts return;

Our God is gracious, nor will leave

The desolate to mourn.

Our hearts, if God we seek to know,

Shall know Him and rejoice;

His coming like the morn shall be,

Like morning songs His voice.

As dew upon the tender herb,

Diffusing fragrance round;

As showers that usher in the spring,

And cheer the thirsty ground: