Flashing Clouds

Services

SATURDAYS - 10AM SABBATH School, 11AM Worship Service

by: Godfrey Miranda

08/03/2023

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Ask the Lord for rain In the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.  Zechariah 10:1


We had just finished setting up camp overlooking Sheridan Lake in South Dakota when I took a moment to soak in the scenery.  It was all so peaceful and picturesque.  There wasn't any rainfall predicted in the weather forecast, so the flashing clouds I saw in the western horizon didn't concern me.  Somewhere else a thunderstorm was brewing, but not where we were...or so we thought.  


When the night grew dark and kids had gone to bed, Debbie and I felt a light sprinkle as we were stowing away the last of our camp dishes for the night.  Within a matter of seconds, that light sprinkle turned into a torrential downpour with quarter-sized hail that lasted for 20 minutes, plenty of time to completely soak our sleeping bags and pillows.  


Pro tip:  just because a weather forecast says no chance of rain, flashing clouds in the horizon tell us that rain is a-coming right here!


In the context of God's promises to restore and revive His people, Zechariah assures us that God Himself will make flashing clouds that not only tell of showers elsewhere but are accompanied with showers of the Holy Spirit's rain right where we are (Zech. 10:1).  It's a reiteration of the promises declared in Joel 2:23-29 that God would not only send the physical early & latter rains but the spiritual downpour of His Spirit in early & latter rain measure.


There are times when I have been in awe of other people's testimonies of God's Spirit working mightily in their context or faraway country, certain that there's a spiritual downpour elsewhere, but not where I am, not in my heart.  But Zechariah 10:1 encourages me in two ways.  1) It reminds me that flashing clouds on the horizon will be accompanied by the rain of God's Spirit right here.  I can trust that God has made His indwelling presence available to "all flesh" (Joel 2:28)!   2) It instructs me to pray for the promise of God's Spirit:  "Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain."  God invites us to ask for the rain of His Spirit in prayer, not out of doubtful desperation but as a trusting expression that our desires align with God's design.  So let's ask the Lord for rain!  Let's trust that He has given us His Spirit and tell Him that we desire to receive what He desires to give.

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Ask the Lord for rain In the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.  Zechariah 10:1


We had just finished setting up camp overlooking Sheridan Lake in South Dakota when I took a moment to soak in the scenery.  It was all so peaceful and picturesque.  There wasn't any rainfall predicted in the weather forecast, so the flashing clouds I saw in the western horizon didn't concern me.  Somewhere else a thunderstorm was brewing, but not where we were...or so we thought.  


When the night grew dark and kids had gone to bed, Debbie and I felt a light sprinkle as we were stowing away the last of our camp dishes for the night.  Within a matter of seconds, that light sprinkle turned into a torrential downpour with quarter-sized hail that lasted for 20 minutes, plenty of time to completely soak our sleeping bags and pillows.  


Pro tip:  just because a weather forecast says no chance of rain, flashing clouds in the horizon tell us that rain is a-coming right here!


In the context of God's promises to restore and revive His people, Zechariah assures us that God Himself will make flashing clouds that not only tell of showers elsewhere but are accompanied with showers of the Holy Spirit's rain right where we are (Zech. 10:1).  It's a reiteration of the promises declared in Joel 2:23-29 that God would not only send the physical early & latter rains but the spiritual downpour of His Spirit in early & latter rain measure.


There are times when I have been in awe of other people's testimonies of God's Spirit working mightily in their context or faraway country, certain that there's a spiritual downpour elsewhere, but not where I am, not in my heart.  But Zechariah 10:1 encourages me in two ways.  1) It reminds me that flashing clouds on the horizon will be accompanied by the rain of God's Spirit right here.  I can trust that God has made His indwelling presence available to "all flesh" (Joel 2:28)!   2) It instructs me to pray for the promise of God's Spirit:  "Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain."  God invites us to ask for the rain of His Spirit in prayer, not out of doubtful desperation but as a trusting expression that our desires align with God's design.  So let's ask the Lord for rain!  Let's trust that He has given us His Spirit and tell Him that we desire to receive what He desires to give.

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I thank God, our Father in heaven and earth, for His goodness, forgiveness and provision in our daily lives. I can experience that God is moving around us and in us! Let’s continue asking Him for His Spirit to guide us and open our eyes and ears to be willing to do His will. That He can be a lamp to our Feet and slight to our path.