You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, when it was weary. Your congregation dwelt in it; You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor. (Psalm 68:9-10)
Messiah said that, as God’s people, we are not to respond to our enemies as men typically do; “we are to love our enemies, bless those who curse us and do good to those who hate us” (Matthew 5:45). His point was that we are to follow the example of our Heavenly Father who, “makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). When God causes rain to fall from heaven upon the earth, it is most often sent as a blessing. Consequently, even those who do not serve Him benefit from the blessing that He sends to His people. Of course, there have been times when rain was not a blessing, but actually a message to mankind to repent of our errant ways — but that is the exception and not the rule. According to David, abundant rain is most often a sign of God’s care and provision for His people.
Also, the rain serves to demonstrate that, when God’s people are weary (as they certainly were as they made their way through the wilderness), He pours out His abundance upon us to resuscitate, not only our bodies, but our soul and spirit. To that point, rabbinical commentators liken the travel-weary Israelites to vegetation that was beginning to fade, that is, until God showered them with His Presence. These same commentators see this is a precursor to the end of days when God revives the dead at the Resurrection. Just as course, dry grass is quickly revived when watered from heaven, those who are dead in Messiah will be raised incorruptible at sound of His Voice.
All of this is to say that our Father in Heaven cares deeply for His people; He provides for our daily needs and has also made provision for our future. As the sheep of His pasture, He makes certain to give us what we need to live, not just in a temporal sense, but in every way. Thus, the rain from heaven that waters our fields and gardens is a sign that, if we continue to be faithful, we will dwell in a place of goodness and blessing. It is an indication that He will pour out His abundant blessings upon us so that our soul might prosper. On that note, I’m reminded of words from another psalm of David which says: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.” Amen.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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