‘He brings the clouds (of rain) to punish people, to water His earth and show His love’ (Job 37:13)

We just came from a trip to Israel.  Over there the land is dry, painfully longing for water. Just few hours of flight, and we arrived at Lagos airport. Since we came home, for the past one week, the rain has been pouring on and on. These are two different countries; these are two different seasons.  But this is the same earth and this is the same God.

Have you ever asked yourself, why does it rain? The scientists’ have their own answer. But for me, God’s truth reigns over all else. I see in the Bible that God sends the rain. No drop on my umbrella is there by mistake. God sends the rain for three main reasons:

The first is to punish, to chastise the people for their sins. During the time of Noah, the rain became a mighty flood of judgment. Only Noah and his family escaped the watery grave. During the time of Elijah, the withdrawal of rain was a sign of God’s anger, for the people gave themselves to wicked idolatry.

The second reason why there is rain, it is to water the earth for the plants to grow. God promised His people, that if they obey His Word, he will send rain from heaven. If they rebel against His Word, the drought will be the judgment of death (Deut 28)

The third reason is that rain is God’s sign of love and mercy to men. Even the unbelievers partake from this mysterious blessing (Mt 5:45). I look thru the window and see water covering my neighbor’s compound… I see some people with yellow rain-coats trying to find a way to cross…suddenly I get it: This is not just water! This rain is a sign from heaven! Warri, God loves you so much! His mercy is flooding your streets and your homes…other cities will envy you for the blessing of revival at last!

“There shall be showers of blessing:

This is the promise of love;

There shall be seasons refreshing,

Sent from the Savior above…”

I hear the rain drops falling on the garage roof. Suddenly, it is not just the same repetitive, meaningless sound, coming from ‘the ordinary’ rain water.  Slowly…I start to hear a long forgotten tune I once knew as a child…then the words fill the gaps in between the drops and here is a poem…This is not just water falling…it is my Father’s cleansing embrace; His greeting and love song from afar…

’Look, He is coming with clouds…’ (Rev 1:7)

Suddenly I hear my name…I run outside and stand in the rain in my garden. I look up!  I throw away the umbrella. It has become my enemy now.  Drenched under the showers of blessings, mercy welcomes me in this new raining season. For such a long time I felt like a foreigner in Nigeria. But now, the rain has welcomed me home. This is my Father’s House! This is my Father’s Rain! This is my Father’s Love!

“Lord, I believe!”