“Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” Zechariah 10:1
Dear Ones:
There are times when we are to call upon God for rain. This “rain” can be both physical and spiritual. The farmer who needs desperately the former and latter rains for the growth of his crops, is truly cast upon God for life-giving moisture. But there is a “rain” that is more critical to have, and it is that which is not only the blessing of God, but God Himself….by the Spirit. Jesus, in several of the gospels, in speaking of prayer, would say: “…how much more shall your Father which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask Him?” (Matt. 7:11) In Luke’s gospel, he adds: “….how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13). So, we see that God gives “good things,” material things for our sustenance and well-being, but He also gives Himself, by His spirit. This He does willingly, with great desire.
During the reign of Ahab, king of Israel, with his wife Jezebel, Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume a sacrifice, seeking to turn the heart of the people back to God. He made a remark to the people that needed to be clear, and clearly understood. He said: “…let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things AT THY WORD.” (1 Kings 18:36) This is a very important declaration because it reveals that what Elijah did was not Elijah’s idea, but that of God. This same truth applies to the matter of rain.
James tells us that Elijah had prayed that it would not rain in Israel for the space of three and a half years. Afterwards, the Lord specifically led him to pray that it would rain, and he sent word to Ahab, that there was “…a sound of abundance of rain.” He would then go up to the summit of Mount Carmel to pray earnestly, and expectantly, for the rain to come. Only after sending his servant seven times to look toward the sea, would he perceive a small cloud rising. This was the evidence that the time of the realization of the promise had come.
In Joel’s prophecy, in the context of natural disaster and national devastation because of enemies, the Lord speaks of a restored Judah and Jerusalem. He tells the people: “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord will do GREAT things….He hath give you the former rains moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain.” (2:23) He will go on to speak to them of a physical and spiritual restoration: “And you shall KNOW that I am in the midst of Israel.” (2:27) It is at this point that Joel will declare that another rain is coming, abundant and beyond the grasp of man to understand fully. It is the outpouring of the Spirit, which the Apostle Peter proclaim the day of Pentecost. This outpouring is still in effect, but who will trust the Lord for the full realization of the promised blessing? It is one thing to pray for, and receive, the “former rain.” It is quite another to pray for, and believe God, for the “latter rain,” that accomplishment of the will of God in the life of the believer by the Spirit. His promise: “….your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” (v.28) This is blessing indeed, when God not only gives that which is good, but gives Himself…by the Spirit, and in His fullness. It is for this reason that we are called to BE filled, under the control of, and strengthened by, the Spirit…TODAY.
Dear Father, we pray for the rains, not only for the first time concerning the former rains of Your blessing, but even more now, having tasted and seen that You are so very good. Give us of Thy fullness, first the vision of what it means, and then the strength to believe You for it…TODAY. We thank and praise Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad