We’ve been having typical winter weather in Israel this month—rain, hail, wind, and cold. Everything is gray and dreary looking. But I am not complaining…We need the rain so much. And the Lord has even commanded us to thank Him for yucky weather because He brings beautiful blessings out of those messy days. Here’s what the psalmist says,
“Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God, Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains, He gives to the beasts its food, and to the young ravens that cry…He gives snow like wool; He casts out His hail like morsels; Who can stand before His cold? He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.” (Psalm 147:7-9, 15-18)
Looking out my window at the gray scene, I often feel that same view reflected within my own heart and thoughts—a bit of depression and discouragement clouding my spiritual outlook. And maybe some of you feel like you too have seen dreary days in your spiritual life lately. Perhaps you feel dry, like you need some fresh rain of the Holy Spirit in your heart. You may feel pommeled by the irritating little hailstones from the devil. You may feel cold and numb and disconnected from the invigorating flow of the presence of the Lord.
But even in times like these, the Lord is at work in us, to bring forth His best crop of blessings in our life. When we are discouraged, He is near, as close as the mention of His name. And when we call, He comes and wraps His loving arms around us and draws us close to Him and envelopes us in His comforting garments of salvation.
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:10-11)
You see, God has a way of using the wind and hail and coldness of the storms in our life to bring about a new growth of refreshing in our heart and life. And through all the weary days, He is calling you, wooing you to come into His presence to be refreshed. In the Lord’s love story of Song of Songs 2:11-13, our Beloved says,
“Rise up, My love, My fair one and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land…Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away!”
What’s the weather like where you are today? Do you see gray skies and wind and rain? Or are you seeing the Lord’s glorious rainbows shining in to brighten your outlook after the storm has passed? Whatever you see out your window (or through the windows of your heart), sing to the Lord and thank Him for it! For He is using these things to bless you and help you grow.
-dmrf