The Rain

"(God) loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. They (the clouds) turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. Whether for correction or for his land, or for love he causes it to happen. Hear this, O Job;

stop and consider the wondrous works of God too (Job. 37:11–14).

Rain occurs when water vapor in the air condenses into droplets that are too heavy to resist the force of gravity. Or from another perspective, God "loads" the thick cloud with water and though the clouds swirl “around and around,” he guides them to the place he chooses. That's a more inclusive way to look at rain.

But Elihu went beyond first causes to the ultimate purpose for rain: God causes it to fall "for instruction, for the land, and for love” (37:13).

Rain falls for our instruction. Rain, the lack of it, or too much of it, reveals our human limitations and teaches us humility. For all our progress in science and technology, who of us can make rain, or stop the rain? For these actions we’re solely dependent on God.

Rain falls for the sake of the land. Rain is God visiting the earth, watering it, and enriching it: "You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth" (Psalm 65:9,10). God loves the land and blesses it with showers.

Finally, rain falls because God loves us and brings rain for our delight. I recall a World War II cartoon by Bill Mauldin depicting GI Joe in a muddy fox hole with rain pelting down on his helmet. “Don’t you love the sound of rain on a tin roof,” Joe muses. Rain is, well… delightful. At one point in my childhood I had a twin roof over my head and remember well the sound of rain at night, and the peace it brought to this child. And I remember how much fun it was (and is) to play in the rain. 

Earth is the only planet in our solar system on which rain falls as a blessing. Rain falls from clouds on other planets, but it's not water. On Venus it rains sulfuric acid.

So... the next time it rains on you, don't be vexed, "Stand still and consider the miraculous work of God"—indeed, the miracle that is rain (Job 37:14).

David Roper

8.31.18