DUST AND WATER MAKE THE RAIN
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3, R.S.V.
I love the spring rains! Usually gentle, they gladden the earth with freshness, bringing moisture and life to dormant seeds hidden in the earth. In today's text our good God likens Himself to spring rains. But there is more to this passage than first meets the eye. There is an invitation to press on to know Him, to understand how He has chosen to work.
What is rain? Is it simply water in the sky? Yes, and more. It is water that has formed a droplet around a bit of dust. That is our first clue: water and dust combined in such a way as to bring moisture to the earth--a parable in nature to teach us the ways of the Almighty.
The elements themselves are simple, and equally simple their metaphors: God has declared the truth about Himself to be like living water (John 4:10); "we are dust" (Ps. 103:14). And His purpose is clear: "For it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain salvation upon you" (Hosea 10:12, R.S.V.).
The intriguing thing about rain is that it cannot be formed without the presence of dust. The intimation, then, is that God does not bring the truth about Himself (who is our salvation) to this world apart from human involvement. The perfect example of this is, of course, the incarnation of Christ. In Him divinity and humanity were blended into a perfect revelation of the character of God.
In our modern world the most convincing argument in favor of God is our changed lives. Enthralled by the genuineness of His love, we ourselves become more loving. Esteeming His wisdom, we become more judicious. Satisfied by His reasonableness, we are drawn to that which is rational. Inspired by His innovativeness, we seek out discovery and growth.
Indeed, thoroughly persuaded that everything about God absolutely makes the best sense for our lives, we long for all the qualities of His character to become our own. Moreover, we long to be united forever to Him whom we find to be altogether lovely. It is by this union that God brings the truth of who He is to our world. This is His sweet spring rain.
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3, R.S.V.
I love the spring rains! Usually gentle, they gladden the earth with freshness, bringing moisture and life to dormant seeds hidden in the earth. In today's text our good God likens Himself to spring rains. But there is more to this passage than first meets the eye. There is an invitation to press on to know Him, to understand how He has chosen to work.
What is rain? Is it simply water in the sky? Yes, and more. It is water that has formed a droplet around a bit of dust. That is our first clue: water and dust combined in such a way as to bring moisture to the earth--a parable in nature to teach us the ways of the Almighty.
The elements themselves are simple, and equally simple their metaphors: God has declared the truth about Himself to be like living water (John 4:10); "we are dust" (Ps. 103:14). And His purpose is clear: "For it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain salvation upon you" (Hosea 10:12, R.S.V.).
The intriguing thing about rain is that it cannot be formed without the presence of dust. The intimation, then, is that God does not bring the truth about Himself (who is our salvation) to this world apart from human involvement. The perfect example of this is, of course, the incarnation of Christ. In Him divinity and humanity were blended into a perfect revelation of the character of God.
In our modern world the most convincing argument in favor of God is our changed lives. Enthralled by the genuineness of His love, we ourselves become more loving. Esteeming His wisdom, we become more judicious. Satisfied by His reasonableness, we are drawn to that which is rational. Inspired by His innovativeness, we seek out discovery and growth.
Indeed, thoroughly persuaded that everything about God absolutely makes the best sense for our lives, we long for all the qualities of His character to become our own. Moreover, we long to be united forever to Him whom we find to be altogether lovely. It is by this union that God brings the truth of who He is to our world. This is His sweet spring rain.
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