The Graceful Rain
I was cutting grass in the back yard recently when I felt rain drops falling. Since they weren’t heavy, I continued on. As I made my way to the front yard, I thought it had stopped because there was no rain up front, but when I returned to the back, it was still raining. The clouds were situated just so that only part of our yard was being rained on at the time. Eventually, the clouds moved and the entire yard received a light shower. The dry front yard was now just as wet as the back.
As I finished my yard work, the phrase... it rains on the just and the unjust kept coming to mind. It's part of a Bible verse that we often hear repeated when someone is going through what seems to be unfair or troubled times. We use it as the answer to the question... Why would someone that lives a righteous life face the rain like everyone else? Read in context, it means something more.
Jesus speaks about loving our enemies in the latter part of Matthew Chapter 5. After He tells us to love them and to pray for them, He then gives an example... But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. It seems that Jesus is not referring to the rain as something negative that righteous people have to endure. Instead, he is referring to it as a blessing that even those who are unjust receive as well. In those days, there was no running to the grocery store to pick up your vegetables, you had to grow your own instead. Doing so requires both sunlight and rain. He's basically saying that all were blessed whether they deserved it or not.
I am so thankful that the Lord has shown favor on me and blessed me throughout my life, but especially in times when I have been anything but deserving. He is a merciful and gracious God that deserves our thankfulness and our praise. Have you thanked Him lately for the blessings that He’s given you even when you didn't deserve them?
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. -Matthew 5:44-45
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. -1 Peter 5:10
This Is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham
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