“And Elijah said unto Ahab, ‘Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” 1 Kings 18:41
Dear Ones:
What is the significance of rain? Perhaps if we compare a sprinkler system in a yard, as opposed to the downpour of a torrential rain, we might have some idea of the rain’s significance, power and effect. When Elijah spoke to King Ahab concerning the “abundance of rain,” we must remember that there had been a drought in the land of Israel for three long years. It is only “…by the word of the Lord,” that the rain now comes, and this in abundance. The result of such a rain at this time was not only that the whole of the languishing land would would breathe a sigh of relief, but there would be the very clear demonstration that, in spite of godless Ahab, and his queen, Jezebel, God was sovereign, and He would bring His will to pass. As He expressed in Isaiah, “…For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven….so, shall My word be…it shall accomplish that which I please.” (Is. 55:10,11) What then is the significance of “abundance of rain” to us? What is the Lord seeking to teach us?
In Joel’s prophecy, we read: “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain.” (2:23) Why are these words so very important? First of all we see, that by the response of gladness, and rejoicing, by the believing Israel, there is a GREAT reason for the rain. We discover this reason in the next verse: “and the floors shall be FULL of wheat, and the vats shall OVERFLOW with wine and oil.”(v.25) Of what is the prophet speaking? He is speaking of abundance of blessing, the visitation by God upon the people, with a most amazing effect: “And I will RESTORE to you the years that the locust has eaten.” (v.25)
The whole of Isaiah 40 deals with this issue of restoration, and the abundance of rain. The Lord deals with Israel’s past, and consequent “years that the locusts have eaten.” Then, He reveals the importance and power of His word, “…the word of our God shall stand forever.” (v.8) Consequently, comes the declaration: ‘He gives POWER (the rain) to the faint…they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” (v.29,31)
In the book of Haggai, there comes a moment, when “the rain came.” How so? In Haggai 2:19, with regard to the rebuilding of the temple, the Lord tells the people: “…from THIS DAY I WILL bless you.” Here is the promise of rain, not just a sprinkling, but abundance, in order for His marvelous purposes to be revealed and realized.
Dear Father, give us to look to the horizon as did Elijah, waiting to see an evidence of the coming of the rain which You have promised. By believing prayer, according to Your word, the old prophet would hear the words of his servant: “…there arises a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand.” (1 Kings 18:44) Give us to be those who believe to see, and run to serve Thee, when we hear coming the sound of the abundance of Thy blessing. We praise and bless Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad