The Work of the Holy Spirit Likened to Rain

s we prepared for another church-in-the-park experience this coming Sabbath, I was reminded that there was a 60% chance of rain, which could ruin our plans for such an important moment in the life of the church.

God in Scripture, employs this natural work of Creation to demonstrate the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of humanity.

As the Prophet Joel writes in chapter 2:23 ESV: “Be glad, O children of Zion, and 
rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain,  the early and the latter rain, as before.”

And in the book “Last Day Events”, we read: “In the East the former rain falls at the sowing time. It is necessary in order that the seed may germinate. Under the influence of the fertilizing showers the tender shoot springs up.

The latter rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain and prepares it for the sickle.” EGW, LDE page 183. 

We are presently living a moment in history that is ever-changing. We have political upheaval, wars and rumors of wars, a society that is in turmoil when it comes to its value system, teachers who have been stripped of the true ability to teach, families who have lost godly principles in order to live by, and churches that lost the ability to connect their members with the Living Saving God, who works through the Holy Spirit.

So, what is our responsibility, living in this tumultuous time. One thing is for sure; not to allow ourselves to be driven by others when it comes to conspiracy theories, that do nothing else but to lead us away from a true relationship with the Saviour. Secondly, Jesus said in His sermon on the mount; “Blessed are those who are poor in spirit…”, in other words, “those who bend toward the Spirit”. 

Therefore, our primary concern is our own spiritual condition; that we do not invite into our lives, and in turn our churches, societal principles that will lead us to neglect, obscure, impure, and confuse our relationship with Christ, as we practice His works of love.  

The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. EGW, LDE page 183.