Seasons of Rain

It’s good to be writing again. Summer does a number on my writing schedule. Thankfully, you don’t need me. The Lord always has multiple channels for His word and it does not return void. Amen and amen.

Usually when I write I am inspired by what the Lord is teaching me through scripture I am studying or circumstances around me. Sometimes things go in cycles or there seem to be themes in life. Just recently I was meditating on how many tragedies we had been privy to in the last six weeks. It began with a friend, a young man of 38, who had a massive stroke and almost lost his life. He is home but, by no means, out of the woods. Several weeks later we got a call on a Friday evening that a dear friend had taken her own life after a long and weary battle with depression. Her parents, as unbelievers, sorrow with no hope as they struggle their way through this darkness. Then, this past Monday evening, we were shocked with the news that a young boy that goes to school with our children was hit by a car and remains in serious condition.
It’s enough to make you say, “What in the world is going on?”

Jesus said in His teaching from the sermon on the mount, “(God) sends rain on the just and the unjust” (Matt. 5:45); meaning, everyone, whether believer or unbeliever experiences rain. Rain can be a blessing or a curse depending on the circumstances.

In the case of people who live in arid climates or make their living from farming, rain is a highly prized and greatly desired commodity. Rain in Israel was a sign of blessing and refreshing from the Lord. There is great imagery in the Old Testament that talks about “trees planted by rivers of water” or “streams in the desert.” Israel would have automatically associated these descriptions with blessing and prosperity.

On the other hand, in Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus tells a parable of two builders who both built houses and endured a great storm. In this case, the rain was not welcome. The scripture says that the floods came, the winds blew and “slammed” against the house. Of the two houses, one was left standing, the other was not.

The question for us is not “if” the rains come but “when” the rains come what will be our foundation? For those who struggle in the midst of these grievous trials described above the difference is not in the nature of the trial but the comfort in the trial. You see, we are promised in Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overtake you.” See the beginning word in that statement? When. When you encounter this stroke, this death of a loved one, this accident with your child, when you encounter THIS, I will be with you! That is the difference. We have One who sticks closer than a brother. His Spirit is within us and He will not, nor can not leave us because we are sealed; sealed until the day of redemption. You believer, when you suffer, are not alone.

Which points to the next question: But who is in charge of the rain? Try as we might to predict the rain and take appropriate action we are not able to control it. God, in His mercy, sends literal rain to replenish the earth, cleanse the earth and show his sovereignty over His creation. As God also, in His mercy, sends the storms of life to replenish us, cleanse us and show His sovereignty in our lives.

Therefore, God uses the rain to accomplish His purpose. And His purpose is always to display His glory through the gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ. Do you want to know what God’s purpose is in anything? His purpose is always elevating, proclaiming and drawing people to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just like any other Father He is most proud of His Son! First, for who Jesus is, as the perfect Son of God but mostly for what He has done in becoming the object of God’s wrath that was rightly due to sinners like you and I.

Beloved, who can know the mind of God? We may never have answers for the floods in life, whether bad…or good. We can’t answer why bad things happen any more than we can answer why good things happen other than to say, “It rains on the just and the unjust.” However, we can know that our GOOD Father is accomplishing His purpose in bringing attention to the gospel and that we have God as our comfort.

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break

In blessings on your head.
His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.