Ezra 6:11 Furthermore, I decree that if anyone defies this edict, a beam is to be pulled from their house and they are to be impaled on it. And for this crime their house is to be made a pile of rubble.
Here in Florida we have these rain showers that are very mysterious. People living only a few blocks away from you can get a deluge while you stay dry. And this happens repeatedly, but fortunately the deluge spots seem to shift from storm to storm.
But after the heat and resulting dry conditions that getting missed by these storms, you start to wish for the deluge to come. But with the deluge blessing comes the growing grass. And with our yard, the weeds seem to LOVE the rain more than the few sprigs of grass we do have!
The one thing for certain about Florida storms is that within about 30 minutes of their passing, there will be almost no evidence that the rain fell. The heat just dries it up. Think Saudi Arabian desert. The only difference between us and that dessert is this rain produced by the two bodies of water that surround Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Without those bodies of water, Saudi desert.
The blessing of the LORD is very much like these rain showers, but with one difference: with the LORD we can be sure to get the blessing of the rain. If we line our lives up the the LORD’s way of living, then we get the blessing. If we choose to go our own way, we get the cursing. It is that simple.
Well, not quite. The blessings don’t happen on our timetable, or often in the way we think they should be manifested in our life. Remember, we are not in charge.
But there are predictable outcomes for behaviors. If we use illicit drugs and abuse our bodies, there are predictable outcomes. If we consistently consume more calories than we burn through activity, there are predictable outcomes.
If we consistently read and study the Scriptures, there are predictable outcomes. The Word will not return void, it will accomplish His purposes in our lives. We will be changed to become more like Him in our attitudes and actions.
The bottom line is this: we can choose to get the showers of God’s blessing by our obedient submission of our whole selves to Him. We can become living sacrifices completely acceptable to Him. And in the process His blessing will flow to us and through us to His world.
Are you ready for some rain?
The Arnold Journey 