Remedy for Drought

1 Kings 8:35-36
"When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they 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. NKJV

This is a part of Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the magnificent temple he had built. He stood before the people with hands spread up toward heaven praising and glorifying God for what He had provided for His people. However, a part of Solomon’s prayer included provision for failure. He knew the people would falter and sin, and even turn away from the Lord. So he also prayed that God would draw them back. That’s where this verse comes in.

Sometimes we grow weary, our lives get wrapped up in the muck of this world. We slip away, and God has to get our attention. But if we will confess our sin and turn back to Him, He will again send His rain on our land.

Lord, light a fire again, I feel new life begin.
I will stand and testify;
Lord, new strength abounds in me,
Revival set me free. I am brand new.

You have called me to Your table.
You have called me by name;
You know the hunger within my heart,
I don’t want to be the same.

(You Have Called Me)

Light of the Morning

2 Sam 23:4
And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
Like the tender grass springing out of the earth,
By clear shining after rain. NKJV

David was speaking through the Spirit here, looking to a time when King Jesus would rule the earth. His description is beautiful: A fresh day, blue cloudless sky, shining sun, new and fresh like tender grass, air cleansed by rain. That’s what Jesus brings to us all if we will let Him.

Do you need a fresh start? Let Him cleanse you with His rain. Look up to the blue skies and let the Son shine on your face. Soak up His presence, and make a new commitment to serve Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

I praise You Lord, for cleansing me from sin,
Fulfill Your Word and make me pure within;
Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame,
Grant my desire to magnify Your name.

(Cleanse Me)

Thunder and Rain

1 Sam 12:16-18
"Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes: Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the LORD, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking a king for yourselves."
So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. NKJV

It was time for the harvest. The need was for dry weather in order to bring in the harvest, but instead, the Lord sent rain. It wasn’t just a light rain either—thunder and rain came. Such a storm that it struck fear into the hearts of the people. Why? Because they had acted wickedly. They had insisted on having a king to lead them. They wanted to be like all the other nations around them, the pagan nations who were their enemies. God Himself had led them through His judges, prophets and priests; they wanted a king. They were rejecting God’s leadership.
How many times do we look around us and desire things based on what others have or do? Are we envious of the wicked when they prosper? Fear the Lord and ask Him to reveal the situation to you from His perspective. The story is not over yet.

He washed my eyes with tears, that I might see
The broken heart I had was good for me;
He tore it all apart and looked inside,
He found it full of fear and foolish pride.
He swept away the things that made me blind,
And then, I saw the clouds were silver lined;
And now I understand ‘twas best for me.
He washed my eyes with tears, that I might see.

(He Washed My Eyes With Tears)