The Latter Rain
Today’s Verse:
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. ~Zechariah 10:1
Jesus defined prayer as simply asking God. "Ask, and ye shall receive." Dr. John R. Rice authored a book entitled Prayer: Asking and Receiving on how to get our prayers answered by God. Unanswered prayer is because we do not ask God. “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” When we ask, we must ask in faith. When we ask, we must ask specifically. When we ask, we must be fervent and persistent. Don’t stop praying unless God tells you “no” or to stop. God invites His people to ask for the latter rain.
We see the request.
"Ask ye of the LORD." Hannah asked the Lord for a son whom she would dedicate to the Lord’s service. The Lord answered her prayer and gave her that son. He was named Samuel, which means “asked of the Lord.” Isaiah told King Ahaz, “Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.” Ahaz said, “I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.” We are invited to ask the Lord. He beckons us, “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance.” He invites us to open our mouths wide, and He will fill it. Judah had been under a dry weather spell and needed latter rain. God said, “Ask ye of the LORD.” What are you asking God for in your life?
We see the rain.
God told them to ask for the latter rain. There were two major rain seasons. There was the former rain which occurred during October and November and was also known as the autumn rain. Then, there was the latter rain which occurred in March and April, also known as the springtime rain. The latter rain was important because it assured the people of a good harvest before the hot, dry summer and early fall seasons. Without rain, crops cannot grow. Without rain, rivers, brooks, and other water sources would dry up. Rain is symbolic of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
We see the result.
The latter rain spoke of God’s blessing and enablement which was sorely needed. God’s people, who had been intimidated, withdrawn, and weakened because of bad leadership, bad decisions, and spiritual inadequacy, needed an outpouring of God in their lives. He said that He would make them as “his goodly horse in the battle" and "as mighty men, which tread down their enemies.” "Their heart shall rejoice in the LORD" and "they shall increase as they have increased.” God would visit His people with power, potency, production, and greatness. It is a powerful picture of how we must pray for the power of the Holy Spirit in our individual lives and in the church.
We see the revival.
We need a revival of God’s people praying for the latter rain. We must pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that we do not encounter dry seasons in which there is no product or output. We tend to be too self-reliant and try to do things on our own. As a result, we are inadequate, impotent, and powerless. When we pray for God’s power in this way, we see not a sprinkling, but a great downpouring of grace and power to do God’s work. No rain, no results. No requesting, no rain.
Have a prayerful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Luke 19-20