3:116 – Rain All Day

#faithbites #faithjourney rain

It has been a dreary rainy cold day here in central Illinois. It has rained non-stop all day. I’m expecting a kayak to go through my backyard anytime now. Days like this are great for naps and warm food. They also can intensify depression and gloomy moods.

Rain can also be a wonderful thing. The plants, trees, and flowers need it. We drink it. The animals need it. Without water, we die.

It’s easy to look at the bad side of things but there is an upside to it. We just need to have faith and look towards the bright side.

Scripture

• Leviticus 26:4 – Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
• James 5:18 – Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit
• Zechariah 10:1 – Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field

Reflection

Rain is a powerful thing. It brings life and destruction. The Lord blessed us with fruit but also flooded the Earth. We need to know both sides, appreciating the upside and mitigating the downside.

During this Coronavirus pandemic, we can focus only on the death and loss, or we can focus on both. More time with family, less pollution, more wildlife, new skills.

This isn’t easy to do but through faith, we can see that we can be blessed during times of tragedy. We can multiply our blessings and divide our burdens.

Challenge

Can you write down one blessing you have received through this pandemic. You may have many more negatives but try to find one blessing, one positive thing. Then focus on that during the dark days.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we are seeing the rain falling all around us. Both the literal rain and the figurative rain. It may be good or bad or both. Help us to see both side. Be with us as we help each other in both draught and flood. Our hope and faith is in your alone, Jesus. Amen.