Piercing Arrows

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

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

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.