It has been raining here in Michigan. It has been raining a lot. In my area there has been less rain than other parts of Michigan, but for me and many others, it means that there is water in my basement. As I was thinking about this and cleaning up what I can (while anticipating more rain falling), I was thinking about the reality that God says the rain falls on the sinners and righteous alike.
From our perspective, we would love to have just the right amount of rain fall on the righteous and the wicked deal with the absence of or abundance of moisture. This would be a point of view that values the fact that works matter. If our works contributed to our reward, we would get the precise amount of rain that we needed. But that is not the way that rain works. Sometimes we need rain and we don't get it and sometimes we don't want any more and it still comes.
Rain is a reminder of both grace and judgment. It provides growth and it destroys. And it does this indiscriminately. It falls in a location without respect to who lives there. And it is reminder that this world in which we live still has the consequences of sin. And yet God is gracious. He gives not just what we deserve, but can use the tool that can bring judgment and pain to create life and growth. And ultimately, he will finish this work. One day we will live in a world where we do not get the judgment we deserve because Jesus paid it all for us. One day the wicked will receive the penalty for their sin because they rejected the payment Christ made and will have nothing left by which they can be saved. And in that glorious day we will receive the full showers of the blessings of God with none of the judgment.
Lord God, let it rain!
