Refreshings

I  thought I heard the pitter-patter of rain in the night, and when I looked out the window this morning the streets were wet and glistening in the semi-darkness.  Sure enough, a slight cool front had moved in with welcoming mountain resort-like air.  Such a blessed relief from yesterday's 100 degree temps!  We ate breakfast on the front screened porch, reveling in the refreshing cool breezes and restful view of grey skies and greening grass.

No wonder so many spiritual applications and analogies have been made about water, rain, or springs.  No doubt partly because most settings of scripture are in arid, stony, wilderness or even desert climes.  Psalms 104:10-13 says, "He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.  They give drink to every beast of the field:  The wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, Which sing among the branches.  He watereth the hjlls from His chambers: The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works."

Isaiah 35 is full of similes and other figures of  speech describing streams in the desert, parched ground becoming a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water, speaking of the beauty of the Messianic reign. Hebrews 4:9 says, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."  This is the rest that is found in Christ, not found by the unbelievers of Jesus time nor our time.

Stories of Jesus are filled with examples of water representing cleansing, restoration and compassion: washing the disciple's feet, turning water into wine, his own feet washed with tears, and the waters of baptism, to name a few.  He allowed Peter to walk on water and stilled the storm at sea. "Peace, Be still," He commanded, calming both the storm and His friends' fears.

Jesus had been sleeping just fine in the rain, and the sound of rain soothes sleepers still.  In God's promise to  Noah, He allowed the moisture in the air from the Flood to break up light and become the first rainbow, a biblical symbol of hope and God's faithfulness to this day. Let it rain!