Rain

"For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made."

"Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven..."

"Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth.  And the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt."

"Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in my instruction."

"Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the Lord, that He may send thunder and rain.  Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the Lord..."

"He gives rain on the earth and sends water on the fields..."

"When he fills his belly, God will send His fierce anger on him and will rain it on him while he is eating..."

"The earth quaked; the heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel."

"I will lay it waste; It will not be pruned or hoed, but briars and thorns will come up.  I will also charge the clouds to rain no rain on it."

"Are their any among the idols of the nations who give rain?  Or can the heavens grant showers? Is it not You, O Lord our God?  Therefore we hope in You, for You are the one who has done all these things."

"Furthermore, I withheld the rain from you while there were still three months until harvest.  Then I would send rain on one city and on another city I wold not send rain; one part would be rained on, while the part not rained on would dry up."

"...for He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous..."

"Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit."



Interesting word, huh?  It can be used as a verb or a noun and in the scriptures we find both.

Today we have rain.  A few months ago we were wondering where the rain was.  Maybe you live in a place where you didn't worry at all about rain, but around here in Western Michigan, we had quite the dry spell.

What do these verses teach us about rain?

• God sends it
• God withholds it
• God chooses where to drop it

That's about it.  Hmmm...pretty clear.  So what do you think about the rain today?  Did it come as a natural flow of nature's cycle?  Or did God choose to drop it on us today?  Does He do the purposeful rain thing only when He has a plan and other than that He's on weather-auto-pilot?  Or do you think that every drop that falls from the sky was sent from the Lord?

I guess it comes down to your view of God - involved or complacent.  Did He create and set the world in motion, then grab His remote, put His feet up and is now waiting for the end to come?  Or is He working through the weather, as well as the lives of men?

Lots to think about - I think if you study scripture you will see God's purposeful hand in all things.  

Today, Father, I thank you for the rain.  We have taken it for granted but it is a gift from You.  You are all powerful and Your word reveals that You withhold and send rain at Your discretion.  May we look to the heavens and praise You for Your provision, and may we cry out to You when our need is great.  Forgive us for not looking at each drop and thinking of You.  You alone are God and we thank You for blessing us every day with Your sustaining grace.