Good evening brethren and happy Sabbath!  Just a reminder there will be a potluck after services in Columbia tomorrow.

Rain, rain, go away…

“…come again some other day,” is the chant my mother taught me when rain would spoil an outdoor activity. Of course, we didn’t believe that it worked, it was more of just a way to express our disappointment of not being able to play outside.

Of course, for kids today, not being able to go outside might not be a big deal.  But we didn’t have the internet or video games and our TV only got two channels. Staying inside was NOT our first choice.

Blessing or curse?

As a kid, rain seemed like a curse. It kept me from going outside and playing. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized what a blessing it is, especially when it’s been lacking for awhile. The most obvious place this is seen is in the grass and trees in the yard. Of course, if I had a garden this year, which I don’t, it would be pretty obvious there too.

Rain is a benefit to us all, whether we realize it or not.  Leviticus 26:3-4 reminds us, “If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.” If you like to eat - and from what I’ve seen at potlucks, ya’ll do - rain is critical to our food supply.

The real benefit

While rain and the physical blessings it brings are one benefit of obeying God, let’s not forget a much larger one: being in a right relationship with God. When we walk in His ways, keep His statues and commandments, we are obeying that first, great commandment of honoring God (Matthew 22:37-38).

Next time your outdoor plans get cancelled due to rain, take a moment to think of what a blessing it actually is, as well as the blessings that accompany honoring and obeying our great God!