The Latter and the Former Rains
The Latter and the Former Rain
“Fear the Lord our God that give us rain both the former and the latter in His season.”
Jeremiah 524
Farmers know when a bad cloud comes up they're fixing to have a gully washer. But the rains in Israel only came twice a year for farmers. Israel was not located near abundant sources of water like the Nile or the Euphrates, probably because God wanted them to depend solely on Him to provide all the water they needed. The former reigns or Autumn rains, which fall October through November, are gentle showers that soften the ground for planting. But the latter rains are the Spring rains which fall March through April, and these rains come down harder and can cause flooding and destruction. But in James 5:7 we see the comparison of the former and latter rains to the Spirit of God; “Be patient then brothers and sisters until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop patiently waiting for the Autumn and Spring rains.” These rains represent God's provision and grace to us just as the rains provide water for people crops and animals to survive throughout the year
God has an abundance of blessings in store for us. He promises that He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh in the last days (Acts 2:17-21). An outpouring on all God's people from every nation and tongue just as the former rains prepared the land for seed and the latter rains for harvest. God will rain down His Spirit on us in the last days and bring in an abundance of souls to His glory.
+++
There is no shortage of people who are waiting on God to move and act in this world. We have the idea that something more is to be expected than what God has already provided. What more could our gracious God provide for us than He has already done?
Like the farmer preparing the field for the crop, our God prepared all of creation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Think about it! When Jesus came into this world there was, in a sense, a one world government, the Roman Empire. There was a universal trade language, Greek. Travel was swift and trouble free because of the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. This meant that once the salvation of the world was accomplished by Jesus at His cross and empty tomb, everything was set for the Gospel to be made known throughout the world. The only challenge was getting those who knew the truth of all Jesus had accomplished out of the house to tell people!
If you recall, after the Ascension of Jesus the apostles retuned to Jerusalem and met together with other believers. Where were they meeting? Behind locked doors. They were living in fear and very few, if any, who did not know Jesus were being told about Him.
Then came Pentecost Sunday! God poured forth His Spirit and immediately everything changed. From hiding to standing in the middle of the streets to be seen by everyone. From silence to the bold proclamation of Jesus as Savior! From fear to boldness and from silence to glory!
The Church as we know it today was born on that day. The very same Spirit of God which was given to those first believers is the same Spirit who is both in and with us today.
The world we live in is not so different than the world of that day. Most people are consumed with the matters of life. Many are living in fear. Everyone still seems to be living behind locked doors attempting to shut out the world in all its craziness. It is we who are Christians, those redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus and living with the assurance of forgiveness and eternal life who have been given the Spirit and told to go forth into the world. We are the Church today! We can see the long rich history of the Church proclaiming the Gospel to the lost world. This is the legacy we have been given. It is intended to inspire us and move us to action.
We are the Church today. We are the people of God in this generation who are Spirit filled believers! We are those who are giving the opportunity to proclaim Jesus for the salvation of souls and the glory of God.
Look at the world around us! Is the time not right? People are lost and hurting, and almost all are living in hopelessness. We have hope in abundance. Enough to share! We can give the people of this world everything they need to become all God desires and dreams for them. All we need to do is give them Jesus.
Just look . . . The Fields are ripe and the time of harvest has come!
In Christ,
Pastor Russ
“Fear the Lord our God that give us rain both the former and the latter in His season.”
Jeremiah 524
Farmers know when a bad cloud comes up they're fixing to have a gully washer. But the rains in Israel only came twice a year for farmers. Israel was not located near abundant sources of water like the Nile or the Euphrates, probably because God wanted them to depend solely on Him to provide all the water they needed. The former reigns or Autumn rains, which fall October through November, are gentle showers that soften the ground for planting. But the latter rains are the Spring rains which fall March through April, and these rains come down harder and can cause flooding and destruction. But in James 5:7 we see the comparison of the former and latter rains to the Spirit of God; “Be patient then brothers and sisters until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop patiently waiting for the Autumn and Spring rains.” These rains represent God's provision and grace to us just as the rains provide water for people crops and animals to survive throughout the year
God has an abundance of blessings in store for us. He promises that He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh in the last days (Acts 2:17-21). An outpouring on all God's people from every nation and tongue just as the former rains prepared the land for seed and the latter rains for harvest. God will rain down His Spirit on us in the last days and bring in an abundance of souls to His glory.
+++
There is no shortage of people who are waiting on God to move and act in this world. We have the idea that something more is to be expected than what God has already provided. What more could our gracious God provide for us than He has already done?
Like the farmer preparing the field for the crop, our God prepared all of creation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Think about it! When Jesus came into this world there was, in a sense, a one world government, the Roman Empire. There was a universal trade language, Greek. Travel was swift and trouble free because of the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. This meant that once the salvation of the world was accomplished by Jesus at His cross and empty tomb, everything was set for the Gospel to be made known throughout the world. The only challenge was getting those who knew the truth of all Jesus had accomplished out of the house to tell people!
If you recall, after the Ascension of Jesus the apostles retuned to Jerusalem and met together with other believers. Where were they meeting? Behind locked doors. They were living in fear and very few, if any, who did not know Jesus were being told about Him.
Then came Pentecost Sunday! God poured forth His Spirit and immediately everything changed. From hiding to standing in the middle of the streets to be seen by everyone. From silence to the bold proclamation of Jesus as Savior! From fear to boldness and from silence to glory!
The Church as we know it today was born on that day. The very same Spirit of God which was given to those first believers is the same Spirit who is both in and with us today.
The world we live in is not so different than the world of that day. Most people are consumed with the matters of life. Many are living in fear. Everyone still seems to be living behind locked doors attempting to shut out the world in all its craziness. It is we who are Christians, those redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus and living with the assurance of forgiveness and eternal life who have been given the Spirit and told to go forth into the world. We are the Church today! We can see the long rich history of the Church proclaiming the Gospel to the lost world. This is the legacy we have been given. It is intended to inspire us and move us to action.
We are the Church today. We are the people of God in this generation who are Spirit filled believers! We are those who are giving the opportunity to proclaim Jesus for the salvation of souls and the glory of God.
Look at the world around us! Is the time not right? People are lost and hurting, and almost all are living in hopelessness. We have hope in abundance. Enough to share! We can give the people of this world everything they need to become all God desires and dreams for them. All we need to do is give them Jesus.
Just look . . . The Fields are ripe and the time of harvest has come!
In Christ,
Pastor Russ
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