Summertime in South Florida means rainy afternoons. Sometimes we find the rain, or specifically its timing, to be frustrating to our plans and activities. However, like a string tied around a finger might be a visual reminder, let us allow the rain to cue our minds to pause long enough to remember some things.
The rain should remind us of the providence of God! “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). “He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17).
The rain should remind us that God is replenishing His earth! “Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains” (Psa. 147:8). “He gives rain on the earth, And sends waters on the fields” (Job 5:10).
The rain should remind us that God is producing food for us! “For as the rain comes down, and…water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater” (Isa. 55:10). “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain” (James 5:7; cf. Lev. 26:4).
The rain should remind us of the seriousness of sin! “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually…‘After seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made’” (Gen. 6:5; 7:4).
The rain should remind us of the power of prayer! “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah…prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain…” (Jas. 5:16-18).
The rain should remind us that Scripture is inspired of God. More than 2,000 years before the water cycle was “discovered by man,” God’s Word spoke of it— “If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth…He…calls for the waters of the sea, And pours them out on the face of the earth” (Ecc. 11:3; Amos 9:6).
Evidence and reminders of our God abound!