In the Bible, rain symbolizes several things:
If it is gentle and waters the fields, rain in the Bible symbolizes a divine blessing or favor from God.
« The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. »(Deuteronomy 28:12)
If it is heavy and violent, rain symbolizes divine wrath, punishment, or trials.
« And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. »(Genesis 7:12)
However, the Bible teaches us that God’s blessings and favor are eternal, while divine wrath and trials are only temporary.
The following verses attest that God’s blessings and favor are eternal:
« Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. »(Psalm 23:6)
« Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. »(Isaiah 54:10)
« Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. »(Lamentations 3:22-23)
The following verses attest that God’s trials and wrath only last for a time:
« For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. »(Psalm 30:5)
« For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer. »(Isaiah 54:7-8)
« For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. »(2 Corinthians 4:17)
« He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. »(Psalm 103:9-10)
« Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. »(Micah 7:18)
God’s Word therefore carries a message of hope and faith that all trials, however difficult or hard they are, will eventually pass, that no matter what storms we face, they will end, and renewal will follow.
This echoes biblical passages such as:
« For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. »(Psalm 30:5)
« When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. »(Isaiah 43:2)
In other words, even in times of distress, we must remain confident, because the sun always returns after the rain.
PRAYER:
O Lord our God, grant us the ability to trust in You in times of hardship.
It is in the precious name of Your Son Jesus Christ that we pray, Amen.
Apostle Jean-Claude SINDAYIGAYA