SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1312

“Showers of Blessing”

And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. – Ezekiel 34:26

My favorite elective course of study while in engineering school was ‘Mountain Geography’. One aspect of that study was the plants that thrived in the alpine biome. I was reminded of these flowers when I read our reference Scripture from Ezekiel and I continue to marvel at God’s creation and how He provides and cares for all that He created.

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? – Matthew 6:28-30

We are created in God’s image, and we are given eternal life, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are of greater worth in all of God’s earthly creation, yet we seem to have less faith than an alpine plant.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. – Luke 12:6-7

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. – Psalm 145:15-17

As we consider the marvel of God’s creation, the Holy Spirit can teach us spiritual life lessons, if we will take the time to listen.

But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. – Job 12:7-10

Reach for God. The alpine plants have hairy petals that reach up and capture the moisture God provides for them. It is almost as if they are lifting holy hands to praise God and to receive the showers of His blessing. If a plant reaches to God, how much more should we lift our hands in surrender and praise to Him? How much more should we look to Him to receive showers of blessing, both spiritual and physical?

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands …. – 1 Timothy 2:8

You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it…  The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy. – Psalm 65:9-13

Close to the Ground. Alpine plants do not stand tall, remaining close to the ground. Do we stand tall and prideful before God? Are we falsely confident in a work’s righteousness? Are we humble before God, trusting in Jesus alone for our salvation, provision, and righteous standing before a Holy God?

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ … – Luke 18:9-14

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:10-11

Shallow Roots. Plants in the alpine tundra have shallow roots. They hold the earth loosely and are primarily sustained from above, not below. Do we truly understand that our citizenship is in Heaven? Do we rely too much on the things of this world and less upon God? Have the things of this world become idols to us?

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. – 1 John 2:15-16

Cluster Together. Alpine plants grow and thrive in clusters. They share moisture and warmth. In the harsh alpine biome survival requires community. It is the same with us. Being a part of the Body of Christ is essential for our spiritual growth. The Body of Christ is held together by His love. It is where our unique spiritual and material blessings, and gifts are shared to strengthen the church.

 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. – 1 Corinthians 12:27

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. – John 13:34-35

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 2:4-5

God speaks to us through His creation. May you know and rely on His showers of blessing, both spiritual and physical. May His blessings flow through you and bear fruit for His kingdom.

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. – Isaiah 44:3

Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it. – Isaiah 45:8