Like Rain
I was challenged in the lesson today to ask the question, “why don’t I proclaim the name of the Lord more?”.
I think that often we hesitate because we think of the “I don’t want to be like them” group. The ones who use the Word of God or religion as a weapon to inflict pain and harm rather than a shelter and comfort. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe we are to be blind and shy away from calling sin sin, but there are some who equate God’s message with hatred and I don’t see that in scripture. We also know the group of people who treat christianity as a membership club to belong to and get great blessings, but whose lives and words don’t reflect the obedience they profess. The ones who are ridiculed for acting superior while trying to hide their sins.
But, here is the deeper message. Our direction in proclaiming the name of the Lord does not come from the people around us. Thinking, “God, thank you for not making me like those people” does not go over well in the stories of the bible (see Luke 18:9-14). If we try to stand and proclaim the name of the Lord on our own strength, we will not succeed. Our strength cannot come from ourselves or from steering away from being like other people. As a group, we are (as the Israelites were), corrupt, childish, shameful, warped, crooked, foolish and unwise. But God is the Rock. God is great and worthy of praise. He is Father and Creator.
And in this, the analogy of rain, that Moses writes in verse 2, is so powerful as our heaven sent model for proclaiming the name of the Lord.
Instead of rushing river sweeping past others or a water cannon overpowering others or an ocean where they can get lost, how can you speak the name of the Lord like rain? How can your teaching fall like rain? How can your words and example be like the dew? How can the name of the Lord from your lips be like a shower nourishing new grass or abundantly watering tender plants?
Every drop of rain is but a tiny drop, but added together they provide life and nourishment. Every drop of rain doesn’t make a noticeable change, but they add up.
Many of the things I try to teach about God flow off and go down the drain. But some stick. Some are at the right time in the right way. I can’t tell one from the other, so I need to continue to let it rain. I need to continue to live a life that demonstrates a tender dew, where my actions speak louder than my words. I need to be patient and not dump torrents, but instead shower others with prayer and call on the Spirit to nourish them.
The beauty is that even the rain that goes down the drain, flows into the streams and lakes and oceans where God lifts it up to nourish again and again. His is the Word, but He blesses me and you to have words that flow like rain. I need to stop being held back by my fears of what I don’t want to be and instead pray that God will lift up every sentence that comes from my mouth to bring glory to Him and His creation.
My Answers:
5.
Listen you heavens, hear you earth, teaching fall like rain (4 forms fall, descend, showers, abundant)
6.
a.
He knew God, the real God. He had walked with Him and raised up to Him in praise: He is great and worthy of praise, He is the Rock, His works are perfect, all His ways are just, God is faithful, He does no wrong He is upright and just
b.
To stand on His Word as the Rock – Solid and dependable. I am to be sure footed in my faith and proclamation to speak His Word. To be bold and hold as a holdfast of faith
7.
a.
God is Father and Creator, the people are corrupt, children, shameful, warped, crooked, foolish, unwise, people. He sets boundaries, He claimed Israel as His portion and inheritance, He found them in the desert, cared and shielded them
b.
Grace and mercy, blessings and abundance. Absolute perfect provision.
The Notes are Good 