God Brings the Rain

Last week, I woke up to the news that we were expecting rain over the next few days. Although I don’t particularly enjoy rainy weather, I recognize that we need the rain — especially after such a mild winter. If some forecasts are accurate, we may find ourselves praying for rain this summer.

Rain often reminds me of the blessings that God brings into our  

Stephanie Rogge

lives when we feel spiritually dry. ​Many of us can recall times when our relationship with God felt quiet. This often follows a period when God’s presence was very real in our lives, and it seemed clear that He was hearing and answering our prayers. Then, life stabilizes, and we may feel less inclined to pray. While God may seem distant during these times, it's important to remember that it's not God who is distant, but us. This is when we need to return to prayer and keep seeking His presence until we feel connected to Him again.

I often think of the story of Elijah praying for rain in 1 Kings 18. He was persistent in his prayers, even when there was no visible sign of rain. He sent a servant out seven times before they finally spotted a cloud. Elijah's circumstances did not sway his confidence in God's faithfulness. Because he believed in God's promise to send rain, he refused to give up.

What if, after the sixth time of seeing a cloudless sky, Elijah had lost hope? He was unaware of how close he was to having his prayer answered, yet he continued to pray and held firmly to his faith.

During the dry times in our lives, we are called to hold on to hope and seek God in prayer. God can use even the most challenging situations to bring about tangible goodness in our lives. We must trust that, eventually, the rain will come.

In His Name, Stephanie