Ask Rain from the Lord

“Ask rain from the Lord
    in the season of the spring rain,
from the Lord who makes the storm clouds,
    and he will give them showers of rain,
    to everyone the vegetation in the field.
For the household gods utter nonsense,
    and the diviners see lies;
they tell false dreams
    and give empty consolation.
Therefore the people wander like sheep;
    they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.

“My anger is hot against the shepherds,
    and I will punish the leaders;
for the Lord of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah,
    and will make them like his majestic steed in battle.
From him shall come the cornerstone,
    from him the tent peg,
from him the battle bow,
    from him every ruler—all of them together.
They shall be like mighty men in battle,
    trampling the foe in the mud of the streets;
they shall fight because the Lord is with them,
    and they shall put to shame the riders on horses.

“I will strengthen the house of Judah,
    and I will save the house of Joseph.
I will bring them back because I have compassion on them,
    and they shall be as though I had not rejected them,
    for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
Then Ephraim shall become like a mighty warrior,
    and their hearts shall be glad as with wine.
Their children shall see it and be glad;
    their hearts shall rejoice in the Lord.” Zechariah 10:1-7

“You do not have, because you do not ask.” James 4:2

In a world that barrages us from all sides and at every sense, we can still experience drought of the soul. Surrounded by a cacophony of lies and deceit, slander and nonsense, we can be hungry for truth and genuine consolation. Pelted with constant enticements for must-haves, opinions and approvals, demands for rights, critiques and false promises, we long for peace and real significance. Enter the Lord of hosts, keeping vigil, and caring for His flock.

There is a season for spring rain, and spiritually, it may not be readily known or ours to schedule. The Lord who watches over us and holds the deeps in His hands knows time and times and can cause rain at His bidding. We may be weak, but can ask that He strengthen us. We may hurt, but can rest in His compassion. When under affliction, do we pant and complain, and fail to seek the Lord? He invites us to ask for our every need, and He generously dispenses soaking, soothing, healing, satisfying rain according to His bountiful grace. (Psalm 33:7; 121:5-8; Acts 17:24-26; 1 John 5:14)

He sees all injustice. He knows the false teaching, the mistreatment, the neglect and hurt we encounter. He sees and understands every battle before us. And He says, ‘Ask from Me rain.’ Are we honest enough to recognize and declare our need? Would we humble ourselves enough to do so?

What is our dearth today? Have we asked for the rain of His Spirit? That it will pour down from heaven and saturate us, awaken new life, and slake our soul thirst?

Lord, may I continually ask for and drink in Your heavenly rain, and so live vibrantly, mightily, and fruitfully for the fame of Your glorious name.