Lenten Reflections...

Hosea 6:3 “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him.  As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

A wise farmer knows that winter and spring rains are necessary in order for their crops to grow.  They also know that crops cannot grow in constant rain.  The rain has to cease and allow the seeds to take root in order for growth to occur.

In life, we experience both rainy and dry seasons.  Rainy seasons, when God is close and speaking all of the time; and dry seasons, when He seems distant and quiet.  Scripture talks about these seasons... 

James 5 says “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”    

It’s easy to coast through those rainy seasons when God seems so near and present.  But what about the time between the rains?  Our faith has to make it through these times too; times when that “rainy season” word is tested.  We have to allow the truths He poured on us to take root and cause growth in our life.   

A lot of times during this “dry season” we begin to question God’s presence in our lives.  We must hold firm to Hosea 6:3 in those times, trusting just as the scripture says, that as we press on to acknowledge him we can be certain that “As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

Where do you find yourself today?  If you are in a dry season, will you press into him and trust that He is present and more importantly allow His truths to fill your heart?  If you are experiencing a “rainy season” currently may you allow His words to take root and produce a crop for the “dry” days to come.

Jesus, thank you for the rainy seasons in our lives where we sense your presence and loving guidance.  We pray that we would allow you to do your work during the “time between the rains.”  That we would press into you and trust that just as the sun rises you will appear.