COMMENTARY

Don Atkin

RULING THE RAIN

This Commentary was motivated by deluges of rain in Texas, and drought conditions in both the West and the East. It does seem inequitable when some areas are losing lives and property because of excessive rain, and other areas are contending with water restrictions in order to conserve limited supplies.

We know that God causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. There are Christians (the justified) and non-Christians (the unjustified) living in both the areas being drenched and in areas being parched. The Christians are praying for the rain to stop, or for the rain to come.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced fruit. - James 5:17-18.

This account, found in I Kings 17 and 18, makes it clear that Elijah was not prophesying and praying out of His own desire or imagination. He was prophesying and praying according to the will of God! He prophesies drought in Chapter 17, and then God speaks to him about ending the drought in Chapter 18. Like Jesus, he did what he saw our Father doing, and spoke what he was given to speak.

Merely quoting Scripture and using proof texts will not get the job done. The Bible cannot replace God! This kind of authority stems from vital relationship with Him! While the logos helps us to know and understand Him, it is the rhema of God that generates the faith to rule situations and circumstances according to His will.

Faith is our response to His rhema (word), spoken specifically to us.

Jesus was peacefully sleeping in the bow of the boat. His disciples were terrorized by the horrendous storm. They awakened Him. He rebuked them for their unbelief, stood up, and said: "Peace, be still!" And there was no more storm.

Jesus said that we would do His works after the Holy Spirit has come upon us. Paul said that we have the mind of Christ. He also said that the anxious longing of creation cries out for the manifestation of the sons of God. Sons of God are led by the Spirit of God.

Even the weather will be subject to those who obey in faith. But, we must first be faithful in that which is little.

Be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth, subdue it, and rule.