Zechariah 10:1
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.’
DAILY READING – Mark 15:1-20; 1 Kings 10; Hosea 11:12-12:14
During the 2000 years exile of the Jews from their homeland, one of the most remarkable things that happened, was that rainfall diminished over the land. As a result of this decreasing rainfall, people moved away from that region, until gradually the land became deserted. And for the 2000 years of Jewish exile, the land of Israel, later renamed Palestine, became desolate and hardly inhabited.
However in the 1890s, Jews gradually started returning to their homeland. Starting with Jewish farmers who looked for ways to irrigate the desolate wasteland. However as the Jews began to return a miraculous thing started to occur; Once again rainfall began to increase in the land. And during the 20th Century, rainfall increased 10 percent every decade, till a total increase of over 100 percent.
And as more Jews began to return, with the increased rainfall, they also devised various means of irrigation. The result has been phenomenal. During the 20th Century, over 250 million trees were planted in this land formerly without trees. The land that was desolate for so many years, is now the bread basket of the Middle East. It exports agricultural products to countries all over the world. Today Israel is one of the world’s leading fresh fruits and flowers producers and exporters. Israel has developed the world’s first long shelf-life commercial tomato varieties. The dairies of Israel produce the highest amounts of milk per animal in the world. And Israel is the world’s leader in agricultural research and development. The United Nations, has declared that Israel is “the most agriculturally efficient land on earth.”
It is indeed amazing, the difference rain can make! For a land desolate and abandoned for 2000 years, the coming of rainfall has made a huge difference.
And The Holy Spirit in the scriptures, is likened to rain. And likewise, when He comes into a man’s life, He makes a big difference.
Zechariah 10:1 says ‘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.’
It is God’s will in this latter days to pour out upon all flesh the rain of His Spirit. However it is only those who are genuinely thirsty that are qualified for this rain.
John 7:37-39 Says ‘In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
A thirst is what we need for the release of the rain of The Spirit.
In Acts 2:17 Peter said “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh”.
We are already in the latter days and it is God’s will to pour out His Spirit upon all who are thirsty and willing to receive. Why God is pouring out His Spirit upon the church in this latter days is because the end time is the era of power. If we are to operate in the realm Jesus operated, then we need the spirit without measure to do the works that He did, and even greater works. John 3:34. Says “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.”
The Holy Spirit is the power of God. And in this era of power, we need Him like never before. it is therefore important to develop an intimate relationship with Him, so that we can experience the power of God in our lives.
As we prepare to enter into the New Year, we need His outstretched arm to deal with every pharaoh still resisting our freedom. Just as His outstretched arm broke the yoke of Egypt and brought deliverance to Israel, we need Him to break every yoke of bondage in our lives. Indeed the Egyptians you saw last year you shall see no more forever.
But we don’t just wish for power, we thirst for it. We have to ask, seek and knock until we receive. And we ask in prayers, fasting and being persistent until the door opens.
We also need to create an atmosphere where The Spirit will be welcome. This means we have to constantly maintain a lifestyle of Purity and holiness, even as we surround ourselves with praise and joy.
Just as the coming of rain made a big difference in the land of Israel, the coming of The Spirit will make a big difference in our lives. By the wind of The Spirit we will be ushered into the eagle’s flight. He will be lifting us to amazing realms of exploits. Therefore let us be willing to pay whatever price is required to engage His glorious Presence, in this season.
PRAYER: Lord, Please release upon me the rain of Your Spirit. I need Your power at work in my life like never before. Please grant me the grace to do all that is required, for me to experience a greater dimension of your Spirit in my life in Jesus Name.
quote
The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained victorious end for you.
[CULLED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD]