April showers

Here in California where Family Radio’s headquarters is located, we’ve been hurting for rain the past several years. Our lakes have all but dried up, our mountains are barren, the farmers are having trouble growing crops, and some of the tap water tastes the slightest bit like dirt. Even the seasons, mild as they may be, seem confused. The old adage, “April showers bring May flowers” simply doesn’t ring true for us anymore; our flowers bloomed in February.

In the Old Testament, Job had to grapple with not only losing his crops and animals, but his family. A long conversation with God ensued, during the course of which He challenged Job, questioning, “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war” (Job 38:22-23)?

Many prayers have been offered to God asking for rain to end the drought. We don’t know the plans God has, or the reasons He does things. Romans 11:33 says, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” The rain will come in God’s perfect timing, like it always does.

God continued to question Job. “Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters…To cause it to rain on the earth…To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth” (Job 38:25-27)?

God is in control, and “He hath made every thing beautiful in His time…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). He is always faithful to provide for our needs (Philippians 4:19). Matthew 6:26, 31-32 says, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? …Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?…for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”

No matter how big our problems seem, there is no need to worry. Psalm 121:3 says, “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.” Also, the Apostle John tells us, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us” (I John 5:14). God’s Word and His promises therein do not return void (Isaiah 55:11).

Instead of worrying, God has charged us to “…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Maybe that even includes a few May flowers…