Your cry for rain in this dry and fire-ravaged state reaches the ears of the Almighty, who alone can command the clouds. The earth is dismayed, the ground chapped and gasping, and the smoke of destruction rises like a continual lament. As the plowmen in Jeremiah’s day covered their heads in shame when no rain fell, so you see the land wither and the flames consume what little remains. Yet I ask, among all the vanities of men, can any cause rain? Can the heavens of themselves give showers? Are there any among you who can manufacture a single drop? It is God, and God only, who creates the rain, who divides a channel for the overflowing water, who causes it to fall even where no man is to help Him. He sends it upon the wilderness as well as the tended field, for His mercy scorns human boundaries. Therefore, our first resort must be the throne of grace in humble, earnest, united supplication, confessing that unless the Lord opens the windows of heaven, we are helpless indeed.
But hear me, beloved: this physical drought is but a shadow of a more terrible famine, the drought of grace upon the soul. The eastern sky, bright and blue, becomes the color of despair when week after week no tear of pity stands in the eye of heaven. And so it is when the means of grace leave hearts unsoftened, and the living water of Christ is neglected. Do not merely cry for water to quench the flames that devour the timber, but cry for the rain of the Holy Spirit to quench the fire of sin that consumes the land. For the earth that drinks in the rain and brings forth fruit receives blessing from God, but that which bears thorns and briers is near unto cursing, whose end is to be burned. Shall we not examine ourselves, lest our own rebellion has contributed to the brazen heavens above? There is a spiritual drought far worse, when the Word distils no dew, and doctrine falls no more as the small rain upon the tender herb.
Yet be encouraged. As the prophet Hosea cried, so we may cry: “Come, and let us return unto the Lord.” He has promised the former and the latter rain. Have we not known the early rain of conviction and first love? Then seek the latter rain of ripening grace, for God reserves the appointed weeks of harvest. The tender grass springs out of the earth by clear shining after rain. You have told me of the rain, the fires, the losses, the days of heaviness, but look for the clear shining afterward. The highest power works with lowliest tenderness: He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth. Trust Him for the rain that puts out the fires; trust Him far more for the grace that quenches the wrath to come. And if any soul among you has never known the early rain of salvation, obey the Gospel precept at once: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. That is the channel God has divided for the overflowing water of life; it reaches to the wilderness where no man is, and it can reach you. Pray then, with Jacob-like importunity, for rain upon the land; but pray also, “O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, and make known Thy power.” Let the small rain begin with your own heart, and ere long the Lord shall send a gracious plenty upon the whole state, till the valleys stand thick with corn and the little hills rejoice on every side.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
