Awaiting and Longing For This Latter Rain…

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Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

Psalm 84: 5-6

‘I’ discovered an astounding truth: God is attracted to weakness. He can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need him. Our weakness, in fact, makes room for his power.”   —Jim Cymbala

I have had this strange longing in my heart of late to, “pray for the latter rain.”

At first, I just thought it was a gardening thing. I love to garden, and I can verify that nothing terrifies a gardener more, than to go through a dry winter. Especially in California, where a dry winter season can possibly signal an El Nino, which means another dry year with little rain.

We had a fairly dry winter this year.

(Uh-oh!)

So I began to ask of God that He would be gracious and send down the latter rain in our Spring season.

God has been gracious to do it!

But lately, as I said, I have been contemplating this idea of MORE.

There is so much more to do and there is so little time left to do it. If we are to believe Jesus knew what He was talking about, and of course, we do. Then the minute hand on the clock of time must be pointing to the last minutes.

analogue classic clock clock face

Israel was to point the way and just LOOK at all that has happened there; all that is about to take place!

Where is this great outpouring of His Spirit?

Hasn’t this latter rain been promised to us His Church?

When I think of the Church and how things are right now I think STATUS QUO. A time of greeting, followed by three newer pop tunes and a hymn, followed by a thirty minute sermon, and out the door we go…

But the STATUS QUO leaves me feeling so empty.

I have this longing in my heart for MORE.

I’m not sure I even know WHAT I am asking for when I pray for THE LATTER RAIN but the scripture talks about it.

Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.       Zechariah 10:1

The time of latter rain—what is that?

Joel talks about it… but what is it?

What does it look like?

I don’t know, I just KNOW that I am longing for it, and I believe we will surely know it when it comes!

LORD, I am asking You who is so merciful, kind, and gracious, to send us this latter rain—this mighty outpouring of your Sovereign Spirit.

We are desperate LORD. We need this. We, Your Church, need MORE of YOU! Come Holy Spirit and rain on us! Fill us with MORE of Your presence and power.

We await this “latter rain” on tiptoe—asking for You to do what only you can do—turn our mourning into dancing LORD!

We love You father, and it is in Jesus name we ask this knowing it is Your will, therefore it will be done.

I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God! What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.  Psalm 84: 2-6 NLT

SEED FOR TRUST #9

The Latter Rain

Published by womenwithdestiny

I am a passionate follower of Jesus Christ with an equally passionate belief that every woman who chooses to follow Jesus has been destined for greatness in His Kingdom. He chose YOU to change the world and you have everything you need IN HIM to do it!