the answer to drought

Outside my window, lush green grass has been replaced by brown stubs so sharp they will pop balloons.  Excessive heat zaps the vegetation of whatever moisture the struggling plants are attempting to retain.  Even my well-watered garden has deep crevices that reveal soil desperately in need of real, saturating rain.

Psalm 65:9-13

You take care of the earth and water it,
making it rich and fertile.
The river of God has plenty of water;
it provides a bountiful harvest of grain,
for you have ordered it so.
You drench the plowed ground with rain,
melting the clods and leveling the ridges.
You soften the earth with showers
and bless its abundant crops.
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture,
and the hillsides blossom with joy.
The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep,
and the valleys are carpeted with grain.
They all shout and sing for joy!

There are times in our lives our souls are overdue for a drenching rain.  Perhaps we've been squirting a bit of water on areas that need so much more than what our little hose can deliver: a little sermon here, a good book there, a quick prayer.  God promises to give so much more, and His rain covers vast areas that our own self-watering attempts will never reach.  I long for the showers of God to come and drench my life, to be soaked in His grace, knowing His provision that will spill over to nourish others.

Where to find such rain?

Isaiah 55:10-13

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

There is simply no substitute for spending time praying, meditating on, studying God's word.  It is the rain for the soul, something we intake from God Himself.

It's summer, it's busy, but this is the best thing we can do all day.  In the withering heat of life, let's endeavor to spend time soaking ourselves in Him.