… for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45(b)
The month of April has broken records for rainfall in our state. We have been under flood warnings almost non-stop and taking cover from thunderstorm and tornados. And, as I write this article, the rain continues to pour down.
The above verse is often used by preachers to answer the question that often arises, “Why does it seem God allows some bad people have the better things in life?” For as farmers or gardeners know, rain is needed to grow the food needed by our bodies. Many times we use this verse replacing the word rain for blessings. Jesus was using this analogy to answer the same question to His disciples. But let’s look at the verse in another way.
There are many disasters taking place in the world. This is nothing new, as natural disasters have occurred since the fall of Eden. But we may notice an increase in the frequency of these events. Are these the signs of birth pangs announcing the return of Christ? Only the Father Himself knows for sure, but the question arises as to why Christians must suffer also. Looking at Matthew 5:45, it would seem to answer that question also; Christians are not excused from the trials and tribulations of this world we live in.
Where else would we expect to be an example of Christ than in adversity? It’s too easy to praise and worship the Lord, lifting Him up when all is great, but do we pass the test when things are going wrong? Do we practice sacrifice and hardship to aid our fellow man during the storm, or do we focus only on ourselves? Do we have a pity party and complain to God, why me? Do we expect God to excuse us just because “we are His”?
Maybe the operating phrase to remember is the above line “we are His”. Jesus went through more than any of us ever will, because “Jesus was His”. Why would we think we get a free pass from the storms of life? We are to spread the Gospel, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, and we are to help the poor and the downtrodden. How are we to do all these things without being in the trenches with them? The simple answer is we can’t.
Maybe we should step back, surrender ourselves to the moment and let God be God. He knows what His plan is. He knows what the outcome will be. He knows what He wants His people to do. What could God want us to do in the middle of a flood, earthquake or tsunami? The same thing we should do when times are good, point to Jesus Christ!
Isn’t our outcome guaranteed by the Blood of Christ? Do we rest in the knowledge that we have an eternal home waiting for us in heaven with Him? Do we acknowledge that by God’s Grace we are made whole and righteous, worthy to have a relationship with Christ? If the answer is yes, then we have to be where the battle is, where the work is needed, where we can show the love of Christ to a lost world!
Just as a an army medic must come under fire, or be injured himself, to save the life of a fallen soldier, so we too must bear the hardship, disasters and flaming arrows to bring the lost souls to Jesus Christ to be saved. That is our job, our commission, given to us in Matthew 28:19, 20; a commission given by the One who has all authority in Heaven and Earth, given to Him by the Father.
Dear reader, I too have become tired of too much rain, which is the human, fleshly side of me. But I also know that there is always sunshine and rainbows afterwards, which are the spiritual promises of God. What little we bear now is nothing to compare to the days when an Ark was required! Why, we have just experienced a drought a short time ago and were complaining about that! Maybe we should ask the Lord what His will is for us during these times of extremes. How can we serve Him better? How can we express His love through us to others? What are the lessons He wishes for us to learn.
I truly believe once we see why it rains on the just and unjust, why the sun rises on the evil and the good, and the lesson Jesus was conveying, we will understand the sovereignty of Almighty God and His rule over His creation.
What lesson does God have for your understanding in the rain and floods of your life? I’m sure it is different for each of us, but pointing to the same result, that as Paul said, we preach Christ crucified and God glorified and love our neighbor. God bless the rain!
