LET US CLAIM “IT’S BEGINNING TO RAIN”
As this is Pentecost Eve, I thought I would write one more blog on this topic, I do trust it will be a blessing to you. Many people all over the world know that Australia has been in a devastating drought, and this huge nation/continent has been one third in total drought, and our largest most populous state has been 96% in drought. The drought is not yet over but things are much improved as we have received the best rainfalls in over 30 years and the forecast is for a very wet winter, so we have much to thank the Lord for already and will continue in faith to thank the Lord for all the extra rain.
This national drought sadly, is a picture of the spiritual state of our nation. Every year we are becoming more immoral and walking away from any Judeo/Christian ethics, as is happening all over the developed world. Like the natural drought there have been some areas that have received sufficient rain, and there are some “bright spots” across our nation where God has been moving, but overall it is not a pretty picture.
There are many pictures/types of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures, we see 2 in Acts 2:3 “the rushing mighty wind, and the tongues of fire, I have introduced this blog talking about rain (or the lack of it) WATER & RAIN ARE ALSO PICTURES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
In John 7:38-39 we read Jesus saying He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of LIVING WATER.” But this He spoke concerning the SPIRIT whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Do you remember the words Jesus said to the Samaritan woman in John in John 4:14 NKJV “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
I have written all the above to now highlight the story in 1 Kings 18: 41-45 NKJV Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the SOUND OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN sound of abundance of rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.”
So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”
Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
With our natural eyes we see the spiritual drought that is in our nation, and I wrote earlier this week about believing for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. I also have written a few times about THE LITTLE FOXES THAT SPOIL THE VINES. Let us reject the “little foxes” of unbelief and negativity and start claiming the promises of God.
GOD WANTS US TO SEE THE CLOUD AND HEAR THE SOUND OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN.
It is overtime that we move from the natural to the spiritual and start seeing things as God sees them, we read in 1 Cor. 15:48 NKJV However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.
We have seen the natural drought and have seen the natural floods NOW IT IS TIME TO SEE IN THE SPIRIT AND LAY HOLD OF GOD’S PROMISES.
Hear Peter’s words soon after the Day of Pentecost in Acts 3:19 NKJV Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
The key word in this verse is REPENT, we need a change of mind, and direction, and recognise we must maintain a spirit of repentance so the times of refreshing may come.
Even today, let us ask the Lord to search our heart (Psalm 139:23-24) and if there are things that need to change, and things we need to repent of LET’S DO IT TODAY.
Let us lay hold of God’s promise through Isaiah in Isaiah 44:3 NKJV For I will pour WATER on him who is THIRSTY, and FLOODS ON THE DRY GROUND; I will pour My SPIRIT on your descendants and My blessing on your offspring.
Let’s not just think of ourselves, hear the words of the Lord through Ezekiel in in 22:30 NKJV So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it.
Will you join with me and STAND IN THE GAP FOR5 OUR NATION/S, and intercede (and repent) to se see change and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This requires commitment and discipline, but let us BELIEVE AND CONFESS GOD’S PROMISES NOT JUST FOR OURSELVES.
I have an old Hillsong/Delirious cd which I play ocassionally, it has a great track on it, I actually have never sung it in a congregation in Australia, but had the awesome privilege to sing in a local congregation in Taiwan, and I was so blest, I have never forgotten it. I print out the words for you, LET IT BE PART OF YOUR PRAYER.
Verse 1]
Looks like tonight the sky is heavy
Feels like the winds are gonna change
Beneath my feet the earth is ready
I know it’s time for heaven’s rain, it’s gonna rain
Yeah, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause it’s living water we desire
To flood our hearts with holy fire
[Chorus]
Rain down, all around the world we’re singing
Rain down, can you hear the earth is singing?
Rain down, my heart is dry but still I’m singing
Rain down, rain it down on me
[Verse 2]
Back to the start, my heart is heavy
Feels like it’s time to dream again
I see the clouds and, yes, I’m ready
To dance upon this barren land, hope in my hands
Yeah, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause it’s living water we desire
To flood our hearts with holy fire
IT IS TIME WE ARE “SOAKED” IN THE HOLY SPIRIT RAIN AMEN
