It was wonderful to see and hear the rain on Monday. Prayerfully, our Lord will continue to bless the earth with significant moisture. The Scripture says, “Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone” (Zechariah 10:1, NIV). Generally, a good rain is accompanied with heavy thunderstorms. That is usually how it works. You cannot get the rain without the wind, lightning, and thunder. The much-needed moisture falls only in threatening conditions. As ironic as that seems, the greatest blessings of life are usually birthed in the painful circumstances of life.
The Psalms are that way. The word Psalms means songs. They often begin with a plea for help and end with a note of praise. The attitude of the author seems to transform as he changes his focus from his need to his God. He stops mourning over the problem and starts singing to the Creator. The greatest mood-changing medicine in the world is to shift your focus off your trouble and place it on your heavenly Father. The Bible says, “Rejoice in the Lord always…” (Philippians 4:4). Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter but obviously had found a way to cope with the adversity of life. Stop focusing on what is wrong and meditate on the love and goodness of God.
I traveled back from a funeral on I-20 and came across a patch of road construction. Orange signs dotted the ditches with frequent warnings. A large lighted sign posted the words, “Rough road ahead.” Now that is a parable for life, I mused. Everyone in the world – everyone – has a rough road ahead. There is plenty of trouble to go around. The Bible is right again – “In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33). But trouble in life need not unsettle our faith. I traveled over the rough pavement just fine. In fact, the brief inconvenience made me appreciate the miles of smooth highway. Also, I still made it home.
Home. Paul told the church, “For I reckon that the suffering of this present time is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). When you stay focused on the destination, the rough patches seem smoother. Keep looking to heaven. Hebrews 12:2 says of Jesus, “…for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross…”
Like many others, I am praying for more rain. I am also praying for those recovering from fires, tornadoes, flooding, drought, war, and everything else that troubles this broken world. God uses pain to prepare hearts to seek Him. The brokenness of life is fertile soil for the gospel of Jesus Christ. While we pray, may we also always be ready to tell others of why we have such hope.