Are You Stubborn?

by Steve Klein

Crops need moisture. They need it shortly after planting so that seeds can germinate and grow, and they need it as they grow in order to produce a useable harvest.

Crops need moisture. People need crops. But only God can provide the rain. We must rely on Him to provide it. Long ago, Zechariah advised his people to "Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone." (Zechariah 10:1)

 In Deuteronomy 11:13-14, God promised the Israelites that He would send both the early and the latter rain on their crops if they would obey His commandments. He said, "And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil."

Many years later, after much disobedience on the part of the Israelites, the Lord was still willing to provide this blessing for His people if they would repent and turn to Him with all their "heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning" (Joel 2:12). If they would repent they were told that they could "Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you- The former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." (Joel 2:23).

So then, God's willingness to provide the early and the latter rain demonstrates His patience and longsuffering with mankind. But it also teaches mankind a lesson about trusting in the Lord to provide for us, and patiently waiting for Him to do so. James 5:7-8 says, "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

The blessings that we enjoy in Christ today are the early rain. The greater blessings of the latter rain and the fruitful harvest are yet to come. Be patient. Trust the Lord. Serve Him faithfully day by day. Grow. Be productive. The clouds that will bring that latter rain are building on the horizon. The coming of the day of the Lord is at hand.

Other Articles by Steve Klein
Are You Tired of Doing the Right Thing?
Is Love to Blame?
Can You be Trusted?

 

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