Bring on the Rain
Today’s scripture can be hard to read. None of us dream of the day when our lives fall apart – at least unless it is a nightmare. As much as we like to only think of God’s promises as hopeful and full of blessings, this section of scripture contains a lot of rather unpleasant promises. Wars, earthquakes, famines, betrayal, arrest, and even death, none of these fit our ideas of promises that would come from a loving God. They sound more like the threats of a villain. Yet, these words were spoken by Jesus. He promises us trials. He promises us rain when we want sunny skies, and he expects us to be happy about it.
Rain serves a purpose. This world would not exist if it were not for the life water brings. However, too much rain brings something completely different. Too much rain leads to mold on the crops, buildings that collapse as the structure of the ground weakens and is eroded away, flash floods that destroy everything in its path. This is what we have to look forward to, according to Jesus. War, disaster, and famine reshape our lives, and that is exactly why God allows them. When we look at the history of the early church, we see a direct correlation between persecution, war, and disaster and the spread of the gospel.
Probably the most intimidating of these dire promises is the arrest and betrayal. These seem more personal to me. Natural disasters happen to everyone, but persecution is personal. Even here, Jesus shows us the purpose for the promise and the hope in the pain. Verse 11 says, “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say; but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” God choses these hard moments to speak through us. How else can the ones who accuse, who shield their hard hearts with hatred, hear the words of God? This is the purpose. The goal of every Christian should be the goal of Christ: to save the lost and set the captives free. God has to get us to those people. He will use ways that we may not be comfortable with. He will use ways we may not understand, but He will use us for His glory and the freedom of the captive if we let Him.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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