RAIN
A rainstorm is a prerequisite to a rainbow.
As I begin this chapter, it’s raining outside. It’s not a hard driven rain, but a relaxing steady rain. One of God’s greatest forces of nature is rain. Rain comes in many different forms. Depending on how, and what form rain comes has a lot to do with how it leaves. When rain comes as a gentle spring shower, it can have a relaxing effect, but a strong thunderstorm tends to have just the opposite effect, but its still rain. The amount of rain also has different effects. Too much rain can cause rivers to literally come out of their banks and cause significant flooding in the area. The flip side of that is if there is not enough rain, drought is experienced throughout the area, but it’s still rain.
Rain comes in different forms. In the Midwest, one of the most beautiful sites you will see is snow. Large snowflakes seem to just gently fall from the sky giving everything a soft, white covering. People in the Midwest have also seen snowstorms where the snowdrifts are as high as the houses, and people have to literally dig themselves out of their homes in order to leave the house, but again, it’s still rain.
One of the most damaging forms of rain is hail. This past spring, there was a hailstorm that came through Missouri and the Metro East area of Illinois that caused millions of dollars in damages. Trees and tree branches were everywhere, and the region resembled a disaster area, but again it was all caused by rain. Often the bible uses the term of rain to describe how God operates, and as an analogy to represent trials, challenges and volatile times. Let’s read what the scriptures has to say about rain in Deuteronomy 11:13-17 (KJV).
13And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. 15And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. 16Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; 17And then the LORD’S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
Verse 13 starts with one of my favorite phrases, “And it came to pass.” This phrase means exactly what it says. We have situations that arise in our lives that come to pass, not to stay. Many times we allow situations, people, and possessions time to set up residence when it should just pass through. Imagine a thunderstorm that moved in and hovered over your city for days, weeks, or even months.
Thunderstorms are meant to pass through, and keep going. This same train of thought applies to some situations, some people, and some possessions. It came to pass, so let it. Some things, some situations, some people were never meant to be a permanent part of your life, you are trying to hold on to something or someone that you need to let pass through. We have all met people whom we knew were not good for us, but we allowed the relationship to linger until we were hurt or burnt really bad. God had already spoken to your spirit to let it go, but you didn’t listen. When you have endured enough pain and hurt, then you’ll let go, but why even go through it, when you could simply let them pass.
The danger in holding on to things, situations or people that are suppose to pass through your life is this; it blocks your blessings. We must keep in mind that a rainstorm is a prerequisite to a rainbow. Before you can ever see your rainbow, you have to experience the storm. The scripture says it like this, “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5 KJV) Throughout the bible you will see this phrase, “and it came to pass,” which is usually a prelude to a trying situation. Whatever “it” is, let it pass. Don’t panic, it’s only a test, but whatever you do, don’t invite it to stay.
Deuteronomy chapter 11 and verse 13 says, “and it came to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day
to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” In computer programming there is a “if then” statement. It simply works like this; that if I do this, then that will happen. For example, if I drop the ball, then it will hit the ground.
The bible is full of “if then” statements. Another one of my favorite scriptures is II Chronicles 7:14, which also has an “if then” statement. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Did you notice the “if then” statement? God said if his people will do four things; humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, then He in turn will forgive their sin, and heal their land. God said He would forgive their sins, and then heal their land. Before God heals you, He has to forgive you. Deuteronomy 11:13-14 has an “if then” statement. God said that if you do something, then He in turn would do something also. What does God want us to do? The answer lies in that same verse. God simply ask us to do three things:
1. Hearken diligently or simply Listen to Him.
2. Love the Lord your God.
3. Serve Him with all your heart and soul.
There are three simple things that God requires of us. They are Listen, Love and Serve. God specifically ask that we listen to Him, love Him, and serve Him, and in return He will do some specific things for us. The next two verses say exactly what God will do if we listen, love and serve.
“14That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. 15And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.”
In return for our specific obedience, God will:
1. Gives us the rain of our land, in his due season.
2. Gives us the first and the latter rain.
3. Send the grass in our fields.
4. Give, until we are full.
Amazing how God gives so much; and ask for so little in return. Let’s take a look at each one of these items in greater detail.
