Rain
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I know many people complain about the rain. The gray clouds, the cold weather, the wind, and the wetness that comes with it. There are days that I am one of those people. However there is a part of me that loves the rain. If it is not a torrential down pour I am willing to hike and yes walk even jog in the rain. There is something refreshing about it. I love the way rain sounds as it falls from the sky and how it cleans up the air. It is my favorite thing to fall asleep to. My appreciation for rain grew when I began to to garden.
I learned Madea was right, there is nothing better than rain for your garden. It is much better than watering with a water hose or water can. I look at weather reports before I plant to see if I am going to get any help from the clouds. When I see a report that rain may come Monday I plan to get all my plants in on Sunday and hope that the rain comes. When it comes it is hard for me not to do a happy dance. I am not the only one. Other people are eagerly working in their yards. Then there are the farmers who have large fields of corn and soy. They prefer rain from the sky than water from the hose. When we have bright sunny days followed by gentle rains at night the corn in the fields grow over night.
It is as if they are racing to reach the sky. Everything takes advantage of the abundance and trees become filled with green leaves, lawns have to be mowed almost every 3 days, shrubs grow overnight and flowers can be seen everywhere. It is almost like someone turned a switch on and said growth spurt time!
One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit is rain. We sing songs about how the Holy Spirit will rain upon us. How he will cleanse us and wash us. Let us look at how this symbol teaches us about the special work he will do on our behalf.
Did you know that when you plant new seedlings the soil must be dampen with water. Why? It will assist the plants in becoming established. The word establish means to become firm in, to secure the permanent existence of. To clarify we can look at the parable of the sower and the seed. Lord Jesus described the 2nd situation as seed sown among rocky earth. However because the person did not have enough roots (faith) they could not tolerate the tribulation that comes from knowing the truth. Matthew 13: 20-21. The Comforter teaches us how to adhere to the Word of God The Holy Spirit will rain upon us so that we will begin the growth spurt required to establish us for the growing season. Hosea 10:12 Recall that our part is removing idols. Those are the rocks that will stunt your growth.
The rain is also responsible for enabling plants to be able to take advantage of light and the air around them. Without water the leaves on the plant would stay closed and would not receive the Carbon Dioxide or light that are integral for making food. This food is glucose a sugar that is the basic building block and fuel for the plant. It will be used to make stems, flowers, fruit and seeds. Two of the Holy Spirit’s symbols is rain and life giving wind. Just like plants we need both to take advantage of the light of God.
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Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. St. John 8:12. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalms 84:11.
It should be noted that just like the sun, rain, wind and the soil work together to support plants. The sun is responsible for churning the air, warming the atmosphere, and creating weather patterns. The clouds that form and produce rain enable plants to reach towards the light and dig deeper into the earth. They are able to incorporate the minerals and organic goodness of the soil into their roots because of the water that is present.
The Holy Trinity
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Here we can see a pattern of the trinity working on behalf of us. We know that God the Father knows exactly what conditions are necessary for his children to germinate. He knows this because he foreknew us. At the appointed time the Holy Spirit will provide those conditions—just as he did with Apostle Paul and just as he will at the correct time for each child of God.
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. Zechariah 12:10.
The conversion process is unique for each child of God because all of us have our own special reasons why we came to God. Some did it at an early age under the tutelage of loving parents and others came to the truth as adults (learning for themselves). Yet there are similarities: a realization that there is only one way to obey God, a gnawing hunger to learn about our Father in heaven, growth and overcoming obstacles. We understand what Apostle Peter meant about wanting to eat the word of God just like a new born babe.
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. I Peter 2:2-3
It is important to take advantage of this time because the spring rain does not last forever. Summer is coming and with it heat, weeds, pests and disease. Everyone is tested even Lord Jesus was tempted by Satan. It may be surprising at first but these experiences bring you closer to God (if you yield to him). Those who are truly resolute verses those whose faith has wavered will be found out. Simply put those who have truly aligned their lives with Christ will be self evident in the way they respond to the spectrum of challenges presented. It could be something as simple as rearranging your class schedule to not interfere with the feast days or ensuring you are prepared for the sabbath (with no less care for work or school). It would be present in your thoughts to filter what you read, watch on television or listen to on the radio. It will manifest in the company you keep and in the words you say. With life changing decisions it will be natural to go and speak to your Father about: what school to go to, if you should leave a job, if a person would be acceptable spouse or how to cope with an illness. The Holy Spirit will be there guiding and making intercessions for you. Here people are beginning to gain the traits that differentiate them from one another. In the beginning nearly all seedlings look alike but then over time the daisies have different leaves from marigolds.
As time marches on something else happens; a hardening of the stems. In the beginning even a new rose stem is soft. However over time it will transform. This is necessary because the plant must be strong enough to bare fruit. It will also make you more resistant to every challenge that Satan sends your way. However if we took advantage of the spring rains (former rain) our roots systems would be reaching deep into the cool dark earth. We would find an anchor in God's word that would keep us steady just as it kept Job steady and helped him to maintain his integrity even though he lost his wealth and his children in the same day.
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Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 1: 20-22
The Latter Rain
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The next rain is crucial to the fruition of the plant. Plants need the most water when they began to flower and produce fruit. Farmers watch weather reports, use government data and highly regulated irrigation systems to make sure that their plants receive just enough water during this crucial period. This is a special work of the Holy Spirit.
Credits:
Created with images by BiPolarBears1 - "A Rose for Georgia" • Phil Roeder - "Washington Park Flowers"