RAIN, RAIN, DON'T GO AWAY!

When it comes to the Lord raining blessings on us, do we ask Him for torrents? Or trickles? He is always eager to give us abundant blessings—so we in return can give to others from the abundance in our hearts.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

The Floods of Spring

On my way home from western North Dakota recently, I encountered many flooded fields because of heavy snowfalls and recent rains. Other parts of the country have experienced flooding, too. The little Yukon River town of Galena, Alaska, for instance, was going through a flood as I wrote this, due to a huge ice dam.

Ask anyone who has experienced a flooded basement, house, property, or road and they’ll say there’s no value in floods. Wouldn’t it be nice if rains always came in gentle amounts, just enough to water the earth? Wishful thinking, indeed. In real life, it rains too much at a time or too little. At least, it seems that way.

We may get tired of dodging the drops and facing yet another day of gray skies, but we can be thankful for the rain we receive. Whether it comes to us in trickles or torrents, rain is necessary and cause for celebration.

Rain is often used as a metaphor. We don’t want anyone to rain on our parade, meaning we don’t want to be stopped from having fun. When we get impatient for something to happen, we do a rain dance. Conversely, when we decide to postpone something, we’ll take a rain check. And speaking of checks, we know the value of saving money for a rainy day.

The Bible speaks of rain both literally and metaphorically. Abraham and Lot saw fire and brimstone rain down on the city of Sodom. When the Israelites complained about lack of food, God said He would “rain bread from heaven for you.” The prophet Hosea called people to repent so God’s blessings would be restored. “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” (Hosea 10:12)

The entire Old Testament points to Christ, whose righteousness covers our sin. He is the only way we can become free from the damning bondage of sin. A popular, Christian song says, “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me. Like a flood His mercy reigns, unending love, amazing grace.”

With the coming of Christ and His death and resurrection, we are free to believe in His merciful gift of eternal life. We can choose to be free from the slavery of sin. 

Lord, thank You for Your mercy that rains down on us like a flood and reigns in our hearts. Help us love You in return by loving others. In Jesus’ name, amen.