Category Archives: Rain

Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Consequences, Dependence, God's Will, Judgment, Rain, Scripture

JUST AND UNJUST

ZECHARIAH 14:17

“And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of armies, there will be no rain on them.”

Rain is so essential for life. Plants must have it to grow. Crops must have it to produce. Lakes and streams need it to stay full. Animals in the wild need it or they will perish. I have seen firsthand the result of no rain in Kenya, where I travel each year. They have been in a period of drought for many years now in parts of the country. Without this precious rainfall life grounds to a halt.

God promises the withholding of this precious resource to those who oppose Him. This is nothing new. We see this throughout the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 28:23-24 shows this. “23 The heaven which is over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you, iron. 24 The LORD will make the rain of your land powder and dust; from heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed.” Bottom line is this – God controls the rain. It falls where He desires.

APPLICATION

I am not implying that those people in the world who are suffering from drought conditions are all sinners. Even Jesus said this in Matthew 5:44-45. “‘44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.’”

What I want you to see in today’s verse in Zechariah is this – God is in control. He measures the rain by each and every drop. He knows who needs it and who doesn’t. Man does not control the weather. Neither can we make it react a certain way. We have heard far too much about climate change, in my opinion. The climate changer is God Himself. After all, didn’t He create the climate?

In today’s verse, God is changing the weather to drive people to Him. What is God having to change in your life to get you to draw yourself to Him. James 4:8 tells us, “Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Come close now!

Father, I know You send the rains, and I praise You for them. Help me draw close to You.

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Bible, Blessing, Faithfulness, Goodness, Promises, Rain, Scripture

SPRING RAIN

ZECHARIAH 10:1

“Ask for rain from the LORD at the time of the spring rain—The LORD who makes the storm winds; and He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each person.”

It’s been a pretty hot this summer where I live in Chattanooga, TN. We had a time of dry weather as well. It was so dry that the Baptist began baptizing with sprinkling and the Methodists were simply using a damp cloth. Not really, but it was pretty dry. When we finally got rain, you wanted to just stand out in it. People didn’t run from their cars into stores. Everyone was grateful.

Chapter ten of Zechariah begins where the last chapter left off. Remember, there were no chapter divisions in the original text. God continues to literally shower blessings on His people. This time He promises rain which was crucial for them to produce their crops. And He gave them at the time needed – spring. Just as they have finished sowing their seeds or planting, the rains came.

APPLICATION

Maybe you are saying right now, Carl, that is all well and good, but I am not a farmer. I don’t worry about spring rains. Let’s take a look at that for a minute. God may not need to send you rain, but He sends you other blessings. Can you name five things that God has blessed you with in the past year? How about in the past month? Week? We lose track of the blessings that are given which make it possible to “sow our fields.”

Just look at God’s promises to us. Deuteronomy 11:13-15 says, “13 ‘And it shall come about, if you listen obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul, 14 that He will provide rain for your land in its season, the early and late rain, so that you may gather your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 He will also provide grass in your field for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.’”

I know I want God’s blessings. I’ll take the spring rains. So, I must live obediently. I must follow His commands. I must spend time with Him in prayer. I need to share the good news with my neighbors. I need to give thanks for all He has done for me and not take those blessings for granted. Will you join me?

Showers of blessings, indeed! I give You thanks, O Lord, for being faithful to bless as You promised.

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Bible, Drought, Faithfulness, Idols, Judgment, Rain, Scripture

DRIED UP

HAGGAI 1:11

“‘And I called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on mankind, on cattle, and on all the products of the labor of your hands.’”

My brothers and sisters in Kenya are experiencing a severe drought. One missionary friend wrote me last week stating just how bad is right now there. People and livestock are suffering severely due to the lack of water. Fires have broken out in their area resulting in thousands of acres being devastated by the flames. It will take years to recover from this drought if things don’t change soon.

God called for a drought on the land of Israel to wake up the people. He was the one who controlled the rain, not some idol. He was the one who could deliver the life-sustaining water needed by all. In verse 11 today, we see that this drought was all inclusive. It was on the land, the mountains, the grain, the vineyards, all the harvest, and on every man and beast. Nothing was exempt from God’s judgment.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you how dry you are? Are you experiencing a spiritual drought? I have heard people express to me how they felt they were in a dry spell with God. Well, whose fault is that? God hasn’t changed. He is still the One who gives us what we need for life and health. He is still the One who fills our spiritual cups with the water of His Word.

In John 7:37-38 we see Jesus referring to this. “37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, “From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.”’” Jesus may have been referring to Isaiah 58:11 which reads, “Thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.”

I think you get the picture. Our thirst can only be quenched by Jesus. If you are thirsty, come to Jesus. If you are parched spiritually, go to His Word. It will never run dry. If you are in His Word, you will have your need met. Don’t run dry. Stay hydrated by Jesus. And let your cup overflow into the lives of others.

Fill my cup, Lord. I lift it up, Lord, Come and quench the thirsting of my soul.

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