RAINS, SHOWERS AND REFRESHING

For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring – Isaiah 44:36

Other biblical typologies for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit are the pictures of RAIN, SHOWER, and REFRESHING. Rain is major among the symbols in the Bible used to describe the Holy Spirit. By its nature, released from the skies above, rain speaks of the Holy Spirit outpoured from heaven. The Psalmist spoke about the manifestations of Jehovah: “He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, like showers that water the earth” (Psa.72:6). God’s purposes for the Rains and Showers of the Spirit include:

Refreshment: “The earth shook; the heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God…You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, when it was weary”(Ps 68:7-9). Acts 3:19 also refers specifically to “times of refreshing” that are to “come from the presence of the Lord!”

Restoration: “Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you – the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month” (Joel 2:23).

Revival: a theme similar to restoration is echoed in Hosea 6:2-3 – “After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight. Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth.”

A Harvest of souls won to faith in God: “For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; they will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.’ One will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; another will write with his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel" (Isa. 44:3-5).

In the Biblical context, rain was related to seasons and to crops. The Old Testament prophets thus spoke of “former rain” and “latter rain” outpourings of the Spirit, as described by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Minor Prophets. The early rains refer to autumn rains, while the latter or spring rains brought the fullness of the harvest. Malachi – the last book of the Old Testament – describes the “latter rain” as an earth-shaking event to come. It indicates that the great work of the Holy Spirit – this “latter rain” outpouring is scheduled for the last days. Prophetically therefore, ‘latter rains’ refer to a great outpouring of the Spirit that will result in an End Time harvest of people to God’s Kingdom (Acts 2:16-17). James 5:7 admonishes us: “be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain”!

Ultimately, rain reminds us of God’s Sovereignty: there is nothing humanity can do to create rain. No human effort can bring a change in the spiritual atmosphere. That’s why we call the outpouring of the Holy Spirit a “move of God”! The best we can do is to call upon the Creator of rains, to send down His Showers upon us: “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” (Zech.10:1). Then, His Words through Ezekiel the prophet will be fulfilled: “I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing” (Eze.34:26). This I believe: there shall be Showers of Blessing!