What do you think of the rain? For some, it just rain spoils a picnic or an afternoon of sport (cricket, or tennis anyone?). The less rain the better. Although if you look at the garden turning brown and worry about hosepipe bans, maybe a bit of rain wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
But that’s all very ‘leisure’ centred. We do know that our food only grows when there is enough water – both crops and livestock need it. And our farmers have had enough ‘no rain’ already this year to be worried.
In ancient Israel there were two seasons of rain – the latter or autumn rains softened the soil for planting and promoted germination; the early or spring rains allowed the crop to be fully fruitful. No rain, no food. So rain was and is a sign of God’s blessing. What a genius design to take undrinkable sea water, evaporate it into the atmosphere and let condense on the land purified and drinkable!
Let’s not delay our thanksgiving until Harvest Festival, when all the crops are safely gathered in. Let’s be thankful today for all the signs of God’s love and “praise the name of the LORD your God who has worked wonders for you” Joel 2:26.
Raymond