There are many metaphors that come to mind. The rain could be literal, or it could be sadness, disappointment. Blue skies, of course, is the resolution, healing or satisfaction, contentment after all is said and done.
Rain is talked about a lot in the Bible. Noah’s flood was partly caused by the first rain that had ever fallen on the earth. Prior to that, moisture, dew rising from the ground helped things grow. Water flowed in the rivers naturally. No rain means no snow either. Think of that! Imagine the faith Noah had when God told him He was going to bring a flood on the earth and he needed to build an ark. “And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die.” Genesis 6:17 NKJV. And this is how it was done: “And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights. Genesis 7:10-12 NKJV. Forty days and nights of constant rain, plus all the water that flowed on and from inside the earth were combined to cause the great flood which remained over all the earth 150 days! “And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered. And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.” Genesis 7:19-20, 24 NKJV.
Rain is withheld as a punishment for the sins of the nation Israel. In the book of I Kings, Elijah prays and proclaims a drought. “And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain three years, except at my word.” I Kings 17:1 NKJV. It is quite the event three years later when the Lord tells Elijah that it will again rain. “And it came to pass after many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.” Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’ ” Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel.” I Kings 18:1, 41-45 NKJV.
Rain withheld to cause a drought so the people would acknowledge that God is the one true God! Rain given again after the lesson has been learned. Rain . . . An instrument of discipline by its abundance and its absence.
Rain can be a blessing and a curse. We just had three days of intermittent rain. It was really wonderful, especially since we had no rain at all in April, and very little in May. This rain was a blessing. But in the past, we have received constant rain for many hours which has resulted in flooding. A blessing . . . And a curse.
There has been a metaphorical season of rain in our spirits and in our hearts. I don’t know that the rain has completely stopped, but it is becoming sprinkles instead of a downpour. The flood is over, the waters are receding, and we look to God for comfort and blue skies. They are coming.
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.” James 5:7 NKJV.
Rain . . . Early and latter . . . Spring and fall. Farming, family, provision . . . Blessing or curse . . . Flood or drought. Metaphor for God’s blessings, as well as sadness. It is all in God’s hands!
My favorite rain happens at night, then your waking up in the morning to bright blue skies with the rain drops falling off one leaf and onto another. The sound is sweet and musical . . . Hundreds of rain drops dripping onto hundreds of leaves. The fragrance of moist earth in the forest as the warm sun hits the ground. The raindrops sparkle in the morning light. That is my favorite rain. It does happen here on occasion.
Blue skies? There is a song . . .
“Blue skies smiling at me; Nothing but blue skies do I see!”
The time is coming . . . Jesus is coming!
Whatever things are true!