It is so very easy to take things for granted. Rain, for example, is never really thought much about until it doesn’t! As I write this blog I am listening to the rain falling outside. It is a beautiful sound, indeed. We have been suffering the ravages of a prolonged drought in the southeastern part of the United States that has persisted for quite a while. We have just been issued a water use restriction due to the water levels reaching very serious conditions. A few weeks without any moisture falling from the skies can result in severe water shortages. When it rains according to the seasonal norms we probably don’t give much thought to it, but when those seasonal norms fail, and the ground begins to crack from the lack of moisture, then we all of a sudden recognize the looming problem.

If the lack of rain continues to worsen, and the ground continues to crack from the severe conditions, then we begin to do what should have been done from the very beginning: pray. Pray to the God who is in control of the rain. Oh, I know. The skeptics among us are already recoiling at the thought of praying for rain. After all, why should we have to beg God to open the heavens and send forth a bountiful rainfall when He has promised to supply all our needs? Hasn’t He promised to care for us, and to provide for us? Then why, why do we need to ask for it?

The Bible offers several possible answers to that question. Some we may not want to hear, but the lessons are in Scripture all the same. Allow me to share a few of those Biblical responses to explain the “why” of a withholding of rain.

First, in relation to the nation of Israel, which was in a covenant relationship with God, God made a conditional promise to them concerning, among other things, rainfall. Listen to the words penned by the prophet Amos:

I also withheld rain from you, when there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, and where it did not rain the part withered. So two or three cities wandered to another city to drink water, but they were not satisfied. Yet you have not returned to Me,” says the Lord. Amos 4:7-8, emphasis added

Due to the fact that the nation had broken their end of the covenant with God, He had caused the drought to ravage the land. When this act of natural disaster did not result in bringing the people to repentance, God had to resort to other measures. So, sometimes periods of drought and other natural disasters are a direct result of national sinfulness.

Second, there are times when storms of nature are a simple result of the curse God pronounced on the earth when Adam and Eve rebelled in disobedience against God. There are times in which a storm – be it a tornado, hurricane, flood, etc. – happens due to the fact that the natural realm has been adversely affected by the ravages of humankind’s sin. This curse of God on the earth will continue, and perhaps even intensify, with the passing of time. This will not end until Jesus comes and corrects all the wrongs caused man’s rebellion against the God of the universe. Paul even says this:

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Romans 8:22

He is speaking of the reality that the earth itself is suffering because of the consequences of God’s judgment on man’s rebellion. Thus, many times storms are just a part of living in a fallen, sin-cursed world.

A third possible reason for the withholding of rain, among other natural disasters, is that God uses them to draw attention to spiritual drought. When a nation that once was committed to God, to the teachings of His Word, with a desire to fulfill His will, becomes cold, indifferent, complacent and even apathetic, then God may use the withholding of rain trying to draw that nation back to Himself. Again, as one reads the pages of the Old Testament this is a recurring reason for God sending natural disasters of varying severity. This is a remarkable display of His love for His children. He loves us enough to never leave us in a state of rebellion but will always use whatever means necessary to draw us back to Him.

What a sweet, sweet sound it has been today to hear the falling of the rain. Plants, flowers, vegetables planted in our gardens, all have their “mouths” turned heavenward, drinking in the nourishment from the skies. Withered leaves on those plants are already beaming with newly realized strength and vitality. Nature itself, having been ravaged in recent weeks by the lack of rain, are now being renewed. All because God has visited our land once again with the rains we so much needed and now have received.

One final word. If you happen to live in this area of drought, have you taken time in the last few days to thank God for the bountiful rainfall that we have now enjoyed? Whether the rainfall has been a direct result of God’s activity, or if it has been just the course of the natural occurrence of things according to God’s creative design, it is still very appropriate to pause and lift a voice of gratitude to the One who is the Provider of the early and the latter rains. He is always right on time!