Terrible is the drought that visits the land, drying the earth until the very ground is dismayed and the plowmen cover their heads. The heavens become as brass, and the pitiless blue sky turns from beauty to the color of despair. Yet this distress in nature is but a figure of a deeper spiritual drought, a famine not of water, but of the Word of the Lord. When sin parches the soul and the heart gasps for grace, all the priests of Baal, all the confidences of man, are of small account. Only the God that answered by fire can answer by water.
Behold how swiftly He can reverse the desolation! In a moment He covers the heavens with clouds and pours forth abundance of rain, making the wilderness a pool. What can He not do? Nothing is too hard for the Lord. But remember, the rain from heaven falls upon the just and the unjust, yet the rain of His renewing grace falls peculiarly upon His own. To penitent sinners He gives the blotting out of sin and the renewal of their nature, though this is not enough if we are to regain all we lost. Restoration is a work as great as resurrection, requiring the selfsame power that raised Christ from the dead.
Let this dry season drive you not to forget the Lord when the streams flow again. The Israelites, once brought into a land of brooks and olive trees they had not planted, were cautioned against the peril of fullness. Even the trees themselves, motionless, unwearied, must drink of the rain of heaven or perish. So too your soul: all created things need renewal; nothing made is self-existent. If you would persevere, you must be watered continually from the hidden treasures of the soil of grace.
Do not tarry in Egypt, looking back with unbelieving murmurings, but press on toward the land of Beulah where the wind carries the music of heaven. You shall yet have clear shining after the rain. The downpouring of sorrow, of poverty, of persecution, all that is the rain. But after the rain the sun shines with healing in its beams; the tender herb springs up and the grass grows green. Expect it. Seek it. The Lord who brought you out of darkness is bringing you into Canaan.
Meanwhile, let this physical drought teach you to tremble at spiritual dryness. Are your prayers small rain upon the tender herb? Does your doctrine drop as dew, penetrating the heart gently, seasonably, without scorching heat? Beware of trifling with divine truth, of idling in your stewardship, for a loose and slovenly walk brings discredit to the Master. Yet if you have fallen, look for that look from Christ that severs you from the crowd, the crowing of conscience, the glance of love that breaks the heart and restores the soul. He has prayed for you. His intercession is as sure to uplift you from the siftings of Satan as Peter was lifted.
Pray then for rain, but never forget that the rain of grace is the sweetest refreshment. The earth after drought drinks in the small drops and is satisfied; so let your soul drink in the nourishment of the Word until you are full. And when you are full, turn to strengthen your brethren, aiming at their restoration to their first love and earliest zeal. For the land that yields no fruit, though often watered, is near unto cursing; but the ground that receives blessing from God brings forth herbs meet for the Master's use.
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. 
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