Sunshine and Rain

Ask for Rain

2009-08-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

Zech 10:1

Ask the LORD for rain 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.

NKJV

Why not ask? In the New Testament, Jesus tells us that we don’t have the things we need, because we don’t ask for them. Are we afraid to bother Him with the things we think we should be handling ourselves? Maybe we doubt He will come through for us. Surely not, that would be a lack of faith or trust. Would a good father refuse to supply his son’s needs when he had the resources to meet them? Of course not! So, do we expect less of our Heavenly Father? What? You say He as given us hundreds of promises of provision—implored us to just ask Him. So what are we waiting for? The prophet Zechariah said it very clearly: ask and He will give showers—rain of His presence, rain of His Spirit, rain of His blessing, rain of His power, rain of His love, rain of His healing. So let’s ask and get the rain.

Lord we're your children, and we are asking,

For You to send your fire!

Our hearts are hungry, our spirits are thirsty...

We need to feel the power!

Just like the prophet, said it would be,

In the last days an outpouring we'd see.

Yes, we are waiting...Anticipating,

Lord, won't You send the Holy Ghost now?

(Mercy Me)

Restoring Rain

2009-04-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

Joel 2:23-26
Be glad then, you children of Zion,
And rejoice in the LORD your God;
For He has given you the former rain faithfully,
And He will cause the rain to come down for you —
The former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
The threshing floors shall be full of wheat,
And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
"So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the LORD your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.” NKJV

Isn’t it wonderful that when you’ve really blown it, and all the things you were warned about have happened, that the Lord still has a rescue plan available? He is willing, not only to save us from evil, but to restore the things that our sin has stolen from us. Because of their rebellion against the Lord and worshiping false gods, Israel went through severe persecution and bondage. Yet, when they turned again to the Lord and went back to their roots, God delighted in granting abundant renewal and restoration.

We Your children pray, Holy Spirit rain;
Let Your Glory come down!
Heaven’s river, flow so the world will know
That Your Glory’s come down!
We, Your people hunger for Your presence;
We are thirsty for the rain!
Breathe on us refreshing Wind of Glory;
Touch Your people once again!
Breath of Heaven, fill Your people;
Let Your Glory come down!
(Kevin Jonas)

Coming Rain

2009-02-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

Hosea 6:3
Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.
NKJV

Sweet Jesus, the knowledge of Him is the catalyst for rain—rain poured out on our hearts and souls—satiation of thirst, relief of drought. Seek Him out. Run to Him. Chase after Him. Persist. Pursue. For He said, “you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” He is not some nefarious wisp, a nebulous concept that defies logic, but He is as established as the morning. As certain as the sun rises, He is there waiting and calling to us. When we accept Him and surrender to His will, the dryness in our soul and spirit will be no more. His love pours through us like a fountain of water. It brings life, breaks the chains of bondage, and lifts us up to a true fulfillment of our potential: freedom to be true to our destiny, freedom to be what He created us to be.

Come, every one who is thirsty in spirit;
Come, every one who is weary and sad.
Come to the fountain; there’s fullness in Jesus
All that you’re longing for; Come and be glad.

(Ho, Everyone Who is Thirsty, Lucy J. Myers)

Healing Rain

2009-01-17T10:25:00.000-08:00

Jer 5:24b-25
"Let us now fear the LORD our God,
Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season.
He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest."
Your iniquities have turned these things away,
And your sins have withheld good from you.
NKJV

What an awesome encouragement Jeremiah is giving to the people of God. Hard times have come. Crops are slim. People are hurting. The economy is spiraling out of control. Frustration, depression, anxiety, anger, and turmoil fill the land. Calamity is right around the corner. This could be today. The feeling is the same: helplessness, despair, grasping at anything or anyone that offers hope. Yet, our hope should be in the Lord. Jeremiah’s command to the people was one born out of wisdom, experience, and an attunement to God that few people realize. Fear the Lord, who is our God. Reverence and respect Him, give Him the glory He deserves. He is the One who is in control of the heavens and the earth. He is the One who sends the rain—but remember it will come in its season. Hold fast to what you have heard and learned from Him. Harvest is reserved for you. Do not allow sin in your heart to keep you from the good God has stored up. The rain will come, in its season—in God’s time.

Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher.
Healing rain, I’m not afraid
To be washed in Heaven’s rain.
Lift your heads, let us return
To the mercy seat where time began,
And in your eyes I see the pain.
Come soak this dry heart with healing rain.
(Healing Rain by Michael W. Smith)

Speaking Rain

2008-10-11T16:29:00.000-07:00

Jer 10:13
When He utters His voice,
There is a multitude of waters in the heavens:
"And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain,
He brings the wind out of His treasuries."
NKJV

He speaks the word and the rain comes. He speaks and the lightning flashes. He speaks and the wind roars. He speaks and the storm is stilled. He spoke and the world came into existence. He spoke and light appeared. He spoke and life was formed. By His breath man became a living soul.

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see your majesty.
To be still and know
That You’re in this place.
Please let me stay and rest,
In your holiness.
Word of God speak.
(MercyMe)

Source of Rain

2008-06-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Jer 14:22
Are there any among the idols of the nations that can cause rain?
Or can the heavens give showers?
Are You not He, O LORD our God?
Therefore we will wait for You,
Since You have made all these.
NKJV

His story in nature, is revealed even in the smallest of things. Rain that nourishes the earth bringing the one thing any planet must have in order to sustain life, water. From the softest dew to the raging storms, scientists have worked to understand how the laws of nature work. What is it that causes the transformation? They have analyzed even the basic atoms and particles that form the conditions necessary to bring rain. The paths of the wind, currents, air pressure, sunlight, oceans and forests all contribute. They can, with some accuracy, predict what the weather patterns will be over the next days or even weeks. Yet, the underlying foundation of it all is a question left unanswered by scientific research. Who put those laws in place? What started the whole cycle? You see, one part of it without the other would not work. It had to have been set in motion simultaneously just as so many things in our circle of life.

Isaiah, like Jeremiah, stated what in the minds of many is too simple. It is He who sits on the circle of the earth . . . who hung the world on nothing . . . simple truth.

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air; it shines in the light.
It streams from the hills; It descends to the plain,
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
(O Worship the King, Robert Grant)

Withholding Rain

2008-05-05T14:36:00.000-07:00

Jer 3:3-5
Therefore the showers have been withheld,
And there has been no latter rain.
You have had a harlot's forehead;
You refuse to be ashamed.
Will you not from this time cry to Me,
'My Father, You are the guide of my youth?
Will He remain angry forever? Will He keep it to the end?'
Behold, you have spoken and done evil things,
As you were able." NKJV

God does not cause evil, but He does at times withhold blessing. Sometimes we cannot experience the fullness of His presence because we refuse to take responsibility for our own actions. It is easy to offer excuses for what we do or how we think. Admitting wrong is not easy. God will forgive those who ask for forgiveness, but the first step toward that forgiveness is admittance of guilt.

To the river, I am going
Bringing sins I cannot bear
Come and cleanse me, come forgive me
Lord, I need to meet You there.
In these waters, healing mercy
Flows with freedom from despair.
I am going to that river.
Lord, I need to meet You there.
(The River, Brian Doerksen, Michael Hansen and Brian Thiessen)

Resurrection Rain

2008-03-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

Isa 55:10-11

"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there, but water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. NKJV

There is a reason for rain. It doesn’t just fall to get everything wet. It doesn’t come for the dry ground to simply soak it in. It doesn’t pour from the sky to cleanse the air and wash the land. There is a greater purpose; the rain brings life. It brings work. It brings resurrection, the seed that was buried in the ground bursts into action. It brings growth. And that growth sustains and strengthens all life.
And so it is when the rain of His presence falls on the seed of His Word. The seed begins to grow. It transforms. It renews. And it sustains and strengthens spiritual life.

Go and find a world
Where My Word has never been said,
And say it there.
Let truth fall like the rain,
Fall like the rain.

Taste and see the Lord is good,
Good to those who hunger after Him.
Drink and be filled from the living well
And never thirst again.
Taste and see the Lord is good.
He’s been good to me.
(Taste and See, Paul and Rita Baloche)

Spring Rain

2008-03-02T10:45:00.000-08:00

Isa 45:8
"Rain down, you heavens, from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,
And let righteousness spring up together.
I, the LORD, have created it. NKJV

March, beginning of Spring, trees budding, daffodils ringing their base, and finally, the rain is coming. We are beginning to see green shoots on something besides the evergreens. It is thrilling to see the earth, once brown, tired, and parched, coming to life, being refreshed and renewed after a season of uncommon drought. And so is our spirit after times of battle, weary and tired, longing for the outpouring of the Spirit of God to bring that refreshing rain on our souls. He will, and He does—all in its season—when the time is right.

Lord, I hear of showers of blessing
Thou art scattering full and free;
Showers the thirsty land refreshing;
Let some drops now fall on me;
(Lord, I Hear of Showers of Blessing, Elizabeth Codner)

Giving Rain

2007-12-30T10:04:00.000-08:00

Isa 30:23
Then He will give the rain for your seed
With which you sow the ground,
And bread of the increase of the earth;
It will be fat and plentiful.
In that day your cattle will feed in large pastures.
NKJV

This is a wonderful promise given to the children of God. It comes after a time of heartache and struggle, captivity and affliction. In the verses prior to this one, the Lord gives a beautiful entreaty of love. He “longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion,” and “blessed are all who wait for Him.”
When we think hope is gone; we feel rejected and useless, empty and lonely. The Lord extends His hope. He wants to help you more than you want to be helped. “Weep no more. . . .when you cry for help . . . He will answer you.” And then, He will send the rain. Rain that causes everything you sow to prosper, His presence filling and blessing your life.

His love is like a rolling river, a clear and cool retreat,
Flowing on in calm and beauty, Gentle ever sweet.
His love is like an April shower, with a steady beat,
Sprinkling drops of joy and beauty, Gentle ever sweet.
His love is like a wind that’s whispering softly through the wheat,
Scattering the seeds of beauty, Gentle, ever sweet.
(Gentle Ever Sweet, Stephen R. Adams)

No Rain for the Vineyard

2007-12-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

Isa 5:6-7
"I will lay it waste; It shall not be pruned or dug,
But there shall come up briers and thorns.
I will also command the clouds
That they rain no rain on it."
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel,
And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant.
He looked for justice, but behold, oppression;
For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.
NKJV

The setting of these verses is a time when the nation of Israel had turned away from God. They were no longer honoring His Law or observing His Commandments. Oppression, and chaos were everywhere. Their leaders were immature, foolish, and corrupt. The prophet writes a metaphor of this with God singing to Israel as the Beloved to His vineyard. It is a beautiful picture of God’s love and care. But even with all the careful sowing, tilling, planting, pruning and watering, the vineyard produced wild grapes instead of good, sweet ones. He grieves and mourns the loss of the vineyard. In spite of everything He did, the vineyard failed. Now He must withdraw His hand, and let it go. Even the rain is commanded not to fall on it.

Ultimately, God provides everything we need to thrive. Whether or not we use those things wisely, is up to us. He does not force us, He wants us to chose the Right. If we do not, then He will simply step back and leave us to our own devices.

I thirsted in the barren land of sin and shame,
But nothing satisfying there I found.
Unto the blessed cross of Christ one day I came
Where springs of living water did abound.
(Springs of Living Water)

Favor, Like Rain

2007-11-13T14:53:00.000-08:00

Prov 16:15-16
In the light of the king's face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
NKJV

We are experiencing extreme drought across the southeastern United States right now. Major cities are within weeks, if not days, of running out of water completely. Others are limiting water usage to inside only with severe penalties for those who dare to water their yards or plants.

How many times in Scripture do we read about scarcity of rain? Sometimes it was a judgment, other times it was just a circumstance of life, but it usually brought famine and a major shift in population as people sought out water and a place to grow crops. Rain is a necessary and vital part of life.

When the King of Kings smiles on you, when He is pleased with you, it is as refreshing and life-giving as the latter rain—the wonderful showers that come after a long hot summer and refill the streams, lakes and rivers. Let His pleasure soak into your spirit like that rain soaks the dry, dusty ground. His favor is life.

Rain down Your favor on us.
Lavish Your love upon us.
Pour out Your presence on us.
Let me taste Your mercy in the rain.
(Wash Over Me, Jami Smith and Janet Hubbell)

Prepared Rain

2007-09-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

Ps 147:8-11
Who covers the heavens with clouds,
Who prepares rain for the earth,
Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
He gives to the beast its food,
And to the young ravens that cry.
He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.
NKJV

When my spirit is weary,
And I’m thirsty and dry.
I call out to You, Lord,
To answer my cry.

Lord, rain down Your presence
Refreshing my soul,
Filling my spirit
And making me whole.

The rain You’ve prepared
Is a marvel to me.
The earth’s in Your hands,
the wind and the sea.

Yet You look ahead
Through time and space,
And prepare rain for me
When I’m needing Your grace.

Send Your Spirit
Wash through my soul.
Clean my heart, Lord.
Make me whole.
Rain on me, Lord.
(J.Bailey, Spirit Rain)

Rain for Thirsty Pilgrims

2007-08-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

Ps 84:5-7
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.
NKJV

It is in the time of dryness that the need for rain is most urgently felt. Appreciation grows with scarcity. Longing is generated through denied desire. Just as we long for autumn rains after a long parched summer, so also we should thirst for the presence and fellowship of God.

Baca literally means weeping. It is a type of balsam plant that can survive in very dry conditions. The one whose strength is in the Lord, who sees this life from Heaven’s perspective, can go through the driest valley, the valley of weeping, and make it a spring. A place where rain is so abundant it pools on the arid ground. Their strength does not depend on their surroundings, but rather on the knowledge that they are only passing through. The valley is only a small part of the journey. They have the end in sight, one that makes the valley pale in comparison.

My soul is yearning for Your living stream.
My heart is aching for You.
All that I long for is found in Your heart
You are everything I need.
You are the thirst, You are the stream.
You are the hunger living deep inside of me.
You are the food that satisfies.
You are provision for the journey of our lives.
You are everything. You are.
(You are Everything, Brian Doerksen and Steve Mitchinson)

Grass-growing Rain

2007-08-17T04:15:00.000-07:00

Ps 72:6-7
He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing,
Like showers that water the earth.
In His days the righteous shall flourish,
And abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.
NKJV

This, one of few psalms written by Solomon, speaks of the kind of rain that causes the grass to flourish and grow so quickly that it immediately needs mowing. His righteousness brings deep fulfillment, satisfaction from hunger, rich verdant growth in our souls.
When the powers of evil have been bound, and the Lord reigns supreme upon the earth, in His days, there will be peace. And the whole world that is now groaning and waiting for that day will be satiated with His rain. There will be no more darkness, only His light, for He is the Son. He is Jehovah.

Come as a mighty river. Come by Your hand deliver.
Lord, let Your presence wash over me.
Come in Your awesome power.
Come in this very hour.
Lord, let Your presence wash over me.
There is a river flowing from the throne
It brings healing to the nations of the earth.
Everyone will live where the river flows.
Living Water quench this thirsting in my soul.

(Come, as a Mighty River)

Resting in the Rain

2007-08-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

Ps 68:8-10
The earth shook;
The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
You, O God, sent a plentiful rain,
Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance,
When it was weary. Your congregation dwelt in it;
You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.
NKJV

The presence of the Lord came with the rain. So powerful that the earth shook and the mountain moved; yet it was also strengthening, confirming, and comforting. The rain was not limited, but abundant. God reminds His people of their Source, their Provision, and their Rest. We need to live in His presence. He has everything we need. He is good.

Saturate me with Your anointing.
Saturate me with Your presence.
I want to have more of Your anointing
In my life.
Saturate me, O Lord, today.

Righteous Rain

2007-07-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

Ps 11:6-7
Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
Fire and brimstone and a burning wind
Shall be the portion of their cup.
For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness;
His countenance beholds the upright.
NKJV

No true justice would exist if only mercy were extended. There must also be punishment for evil. God is truly a God of justice. On one side He rewards and blesses the righteous. He extends love and forgiveness to any who reach out in faith to Him. On the other He punishes wickedness, avenges the oppressed, and measures out judgment against those who rebel.

God deals with us in the direction we are going. To those who reject and turn from Him, He says, “'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” To the hungry, He says. "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me . . . . streams of living water will flow from within him."

In Your presence, that’s where I am strong.
In Your presence, O Lord, my God.
In Your presence, that’s where I belong
Seeking Your face, touching Your grace
In the cleft of the rock,
In Your presence, O God
I want to go where the rivers cannot overflow me,
Where my feet are on the rock.
I want to hide where the blazing fire cannot burn me,
In Your presence, O God.

(In Your Presence, Lynn DeShazo)

Desert Rain

2007-07-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

Job 38:25-28

"Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water,
Or a path for the thunderbolt,
To cause it to rain on a land where there is no one,
A wilderness in which there is no man;
To satisfy the desolate waste,
And cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass?
Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew?
NKJV

The Lord loves a lost cause—He brings hope to the hopeless, life to the dead. Where there is nothing but desolate waste, He brings rain. Life springs from the desert awakened with Living Water, satisfaction beyond compare, joy without measure.

I will pour water on him that is thirsty;
I will pour floods upon the dry ground.
Open your heart for the gift I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me I will be found.

(Come, Every One Who is Thirsty, Lucy J. Rider)

Diverse Rain

2007-07-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

Job 37:6-7
For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth';
Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
He seals the hand of every man, that all men may know His work.
NKJV

Snow, gentle rain, powerful deluge, what do you need to reveal to you the work of God? Living Water comes in many forms depending on the need. What will get through to the heart and soul of man? That is the main purpose and underlying passion of His love—that all men may know His work. Through His work, we see Him.

Lord, send the rain of revival on us.
Send the flame of Thy Spirit to burn all dross.
Give us a burden for the souls of men,
And revive us, revive us again.

Dewdrops and Lightening

2007-06-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Job 36:27-33
For He draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist,
Which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man.
Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds,
The thunder from His canopy?
Look, He scatters His light upon it, and covers the depths of the sea.
For by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance.
He covers His hands with lightning, and commands it to strike.
His thunder declares it, the cattle also, concerning the rising storm.
NKJV

Step back and see the big picture! He controls the life-cycles of the earth. He draws up the dewdrops evaporating into the clouds. They form a giant canopy that charged with light resounds thundering as the rain returns to earth. We accept the cycles as part of growth and life; both good and bad. Why then, do we question His goodness when arrows pierce our hearts?
Job’s answer was full of trust, “shall we accept good from God . . . and not adversity?” Do we only trust Him when everything is going our way? Is our confidence limited to what we see or feel? He’s the one who controls life. He knows what He is doing. He has the big picture in His powerful hands. You can trust Him with your life, your struggles, your dreams, your defeats, your joys, your sorrows. He will hold you in the palm of His hand. He will do what is best for you.

The way the thunder shakes the earth,
Lightning strikes and shouts Your worth.
The way the seasons come to pass
Shows my heart Your faithfulness.
The way the morning star returns.
The way a fire burns.

(The Way, Paul Baloche)

A Fountain of Life

2007-06-23T21:33:00.000-07:00

Job 29:23
They waited for me as for the rain,
And they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain. NKJV

When wisdom speaks, people listen and have nothing to say in response. There is no more to add. Only listen, and soak up the rain. Act on the promise. Trust.

Living Water rain down Your life on me,
Cleansing me, refreshing me with life abundantly.
River full of life, I’ll go where You lead,
And I will trust in You, I will trust in You, my God.

There is a fountain, Who is a King,
Victorious Warrior and Lord of everything.
My Rock, my Shelter, my very own
Blessed Redeemer Who reigns upon the throne.

(Who Can Satisfy—Dennis Jernigan)

When There is no Rain

2007-06-05T18:17:00.000-07:00

2 Chron 7:13-16
When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. NKJV

When everything seems to be going against us; the heavens are closed; our cries echo back and seem to go nowhere, there are three things we need to do. First we must humble ourselves. In an “all for me” society, that’s hard to do. It’s not “all about me”, or “have it my way” that will satisfy in the end. We have to understand that all we are and do is worthless without the Lord. Only through His righteousness does our value become immeasurable. Second, we must pray and seek His face. Notice that prayer alone is not enough. We have to go deeper and seek, not just the answer to our problems, but we must seek His face. How well do you know Him. Do you have a personal intimate relationship with the Lord God, King of Eternity, Creator of the universe? Finally, turn from sin. We need to search our hearts and lives. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any uncleanness or weakness. What is the next step we need to take to become more like Him?

Then the answer will come. Then, He will hear from Heaven. He will forgive our sin. He will heal our land. Like a rock thrown into a pond, the blessings of God keep extending outward.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters again and again;
Sweep away the darkness,
Burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn, to glorify Your name.

(I will Never Be, Geoff Bullock)

Piercing Arrows

2007-05-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

Job 5:10-11
He gives rain on the earth,
And sends waters on the fields.
He sets on high those who are lowly,
And those who mourn are lifted to safety. NKJV

“I know the plans I have for you. They are good for you and not evil. They are to give you hope and a future. But the arrows that pierce your heart are just as much a part of my plans as the joy that is set before you. Don’t be angry and despair. Don’t keep asking why; just embrace them and understand—they’re part of the plan. You can’t see the big picture like I can. Trust Me.” These are the words that kept running through my heart and mind last Sunday morning as the Lord moved in a special way and spoke through tongues and interpretation.

He gives rain. Sometimes it is soothing and thirst-quenching. Sometimes it is stormy and earth-moving. But always, always He has a plan, a good plan, one full of hope and life. If we keep His commandments, we can have this assurance; His plan will come to pass. The rain may come in different ways, but He will set us on high and lift us to safety. God’s plan for Job involved great sorrow and abundant joy—both were equally integral parts of the plan.

I don’t know what this day will bring.
Will it be disappointing or filled with longed for things?
I don’t know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness.

I don’t know if these clouds mean rain.
If they do will they pour down blessing or pain?
I don’t know what the future holds.
Still I know, I can trust Your faithfulness.

(Your Faithfulness, Brian Doerksen)

Forgiving Rain

2007-04-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

2 Chronicles 6:26-27
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

Sometimes when it seems the heavens are brass and we cannot feel His presence, it is because of sin. That’s when we need to search our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the problem. Is there unforgiveness and bitterness in our heart? Have we let down our guard and allowed the pervading culture of our world to dull our sensitivity to the things of God? The answer is found in a deliberate turning, seeking God for forgiveness.
Isn’t it interesting that sending the rain is a sign of forgiveness, mercy, and blessing?

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give the living water;
Thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.

(I Heard the Voice of Jesus say, Horatius Bonar)

Small Beginnings

2007-04-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

1 Kings 18:44-45
Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.'"
Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. NKJV

Elijah prayed until he got an answer—not the full blown answer, but just a hint of it. His servant reported a tiny cloud in the sky. Elijah knew the answer was on the way. He acted in faith because he knew what was coming. The next step he took shows his confidence and knowledge of what God would do. He warned the King to ride home quickly in his chariot or the abundance of rain would stop him. By this time, Ahab knew he’d better believe the prophet. The sky quickly grew dark with clouds. The wind came up, and God dumped rain on the land.

Little is much when God is in it.
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown and you can win it.
If you will go in Jesus’ name.

Sound of Abundance

2007-03-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

1 Kings 18:41
Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." NKJV

Elijah said these words in faith. there had been no rain for three years. Everything was dry. Crops had failed. People were starving. God had sealed up the heavens because of the people’s sin in serving Baal who they believed controlled the rain. This had culminated in a great showdown. The God of Elijah and the prophets of Baal met on Mt. Carmel. The challenge was given and met mightily in spite of overwhelming odds. Now it was time for the drought to be stopped. There were no clouds in the sky, no moisture in the breeze, no sound of thunder or spark of lightening. Yet, Elijah knew that God would send the rain showing that the Creator of the universe not only had the power to withhold rain, but to give it.

Can you hear the sound of heaven
Like the sound of many waters?
It’s the sound of worship coming from the throne.
There are cries of celebration
As men from every nation
Raise their voice to make His glory known.

(Holy Are You, Lord)

Invisible Rain

2007-03-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

2 Kings 3:15-18
Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. And he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'Make this valley full of ditches.' For thus says the LORD: 'You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.' And this is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. NKJV

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, Jehoram, the king of Israel, and the king of Edom had joined together to battle the Moabites. They found themselves in a desert with no water for themselves or their animals. Fearing defeat, Jehoshaphat called for the prophet Elisha and asked him to inquire of the Lord on their behalf. Elisha sent for a musician to come and play. As he played, the Spirit of the Lord came and spoke to Elisha.

Specific instructions were given. They had to act in faith and labor, digging ditches or canals throughout the valley. Even then, they saw no rain. There was no outward appearance of any change, yet the next morning, the ditches they had dug filled with water to quench their thirst, and when the sun came up and shined on the water, God used the reflection in the water to trick the Moabites and bring them to defeat.

Like a desert my soul thirsts for You.
Let the healing waters flow.
I am broken at Your feet O Lord;
Father, take everything in me.

(All That I Am, Josh Aoki)

Remedy for Drought

2007-02-26T18:19:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-12T16:51:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-05T16:39:00.000-08:00

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)

Open Windows

2007-01-28T15:19:00.000-08:00

Deut 28:12-14
The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them. NKJV

What provision, what glorious wonder—that the King of Heaven would open His hands to us who serve Him. Not only does He promise to provide for our needs, but He will elevate us to a position of leadership. Not to lord it over others, but to provide for them. He blesses us so that we can be a blessing.
This is the promise to those who pay attention to His Word, and follow Him.

The windows of Heaven are open.
The blessings are falling tonight.
There’s joy, joy, joy in my heart
For Jesus made everything right.
I gave Him my old tattered garment;
He gave me a robe of pure white.
I’m feasting on manna from Heaven,
And that’s why I’m happy tonight.
(The Windows of Heaven)

Seasonal Rain

2007-01-22T18:50:00.000-08:00

Deut 11:13-16
And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled. NKJV

Obedience to His commandments bring the rain, rain in its season. It is not always an appropriate time for rain. Sometimes the rain needs to be withheld, for ground that is forever soaked will grow moldy and rot. Nutrients will be stripped away. The land will be worthless. It takes seasons of both, dry and rain, to produce a good crop.
If we do not know thirst, we can not appreciate what it is like to have that thirst quenched. So, as we serve Him, our loving Father provides just the right amount of rain to produce a good crop.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their forces above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness mercy and love.

Tender Herbs and Grass

2007-01-19T16:15:00.000-08:00

Deut 32:2-4
Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew,
As raindrops on the tender herb, and as showers on the grass.
For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God.
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He. NKJV

As we proclaim His name and praise Him, giving honor to Him whose work is perfect, the rain will fall. As we soak up His Word, our thirst will be quenched. The work that He does is perfect in every way—truthful, just, and pure.
Notice that the rain falls on the tender plants in drops, but on the grass in showers. What kind of plant are you? Are you just getting started, barely able to survive? God will send you what you need—not too much, nor too little. Are you strong enough to withstand the bruising of feet? Are you taken often for granted? Ignored, yet steadfast and faithful, not lifted up in pride nor drawing attention to yourself? God promises you showers.

There shall be showers of blessing.
O, that today they might fall.
Now as to God we’re confessing.
Now as on Jesus we call.
Showers of blessing, showers of blessing we need.
Mercy drips ‘round us are falling,
but for the showers we plead.

Rain Down Your Presence

2007-01-18T17:39:00.000-08:00

Deut 11:11-12
But the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year. NKJV

The land of Canaan, promised over 4,000 years ago to the children of Israel was a beautiful place. God compares it to Egypt. There they had to carry water for their gardens and water them by hand—but in the promised land, that would not be necessary. The land would be watered by the rain of heaven. Why? Because God loved that land. He prepared it for His people, a people who would be set apart to serve Him. And as they trusted Him and served Him, He would send the rain.
What is the land that God has given you? He loves that land too, and has a purpose for it. He will water it with the rain of heaven. You don’t have to carry water for it. Just enjoy its fruit and let Him water it. Just trust and obey.

Let the rain of Your presence fall on me.
Every day that I live, with every breath I breathe.
Let the rain of Your presence fall on me.
Everywhere that I go, Lord, let Your Spirit flow.
Rain on me.

Feel the Rain

2007-01-18T17:08:00.000-08:00

Like a dry sponge or parched earth, the land of a thirsty, longing soul will soak up the Living Water, seek it out, and allow it to permeate every fiber of their being. Then, the river will come.