Bring The Rain

Looking at the weather in central Indiana for the past few days, as well as what is in store for today and tomorrow, you could reasonably ask, “What?!?  Bring more rain?!?!?”  Just like the snow we had this past winter, there are amounts which bring smiles and fun, and there are amounts that are, well, too much of a good thing.  When we are in the midst of the rain, and it just keeps on coming, we can question its value.

“I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain 

You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray”

Mercy Me is another one of these bands in whose music I often find a connection.  Their songs bring very simple concepts like struggle and joy into beautiful moments of worship and praise.  I love this version because of how it starts and ends (“Holy, Holy, Holy”…more on that another day) as well as the gospel choir joining in as the song builds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU).

“Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory 

And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain”

The movie “Noah” that is now in theaters seems appropriate right now as the rains continue to fall.  Besides this story from Genesis, there are many references to rain in the Bible.  One of my favorites is from Isaiah.

“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

The understanding that nothing in our lives comes without purpose is an important one.  When the challenges and the dark times come, we most often turn to a dialogue of complaint.  But what if we instead chose to embrace the struggle?  How would our attitude change if we welcomed the rainy days in life, knowing that they have the ability to bring just as much blessing as the sunny ones?

So, when the rain comes, pray for the rain.  When we are at our lowest or most frustrating moments and we turn to God in prayer, or even in praise, we are giving Him the glory, recognizing His Kingship over us and for us.   Do we need more rain today?  Do we need more struggles and challenges?  Probably not.  But, if that’s what it takes to praise You, Jesus bring the rain.