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Autumn Rains

 `         Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. (Joel 2:23)

          I’ve checked the average rainfall per month stats for my hometown, and September through December, otherwise known as “the fall” are supposed to be the wettest months of the year, followed by April, May, and June, otherwise known as “the spring.” Since late June, we have had one rain shower that produced an inch of rain, according to one website that keeps track of such things. So today’s verse is more of a promissory note than a payment received.

          But Erie is not Zion. Zion gets about 21 inches per year. Erie gets about twice that and is located on a lake that helps us maintain a reasonable water-table. In other words, between nature and technology, most of the time, my garden can have all the water it needs without a crisis level of concern when it doesn’t rain. It costs money, but water is readily available if I choose to use it.

          But rain and water are sometimes used as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit and for blessing in general. So, for those who are God’s chosen people today, whether in Zion or not, we have a call to be glad and to rejoice in the Lord our God, for He has given us Christ and the Holy Spirit (which some liken to the spring rains) and has promised Christ’s return and Heaven (which some liken to the fall rains.) It may seem to be a long, hot, dry “summer” but the autumn rains will come, or (in the meantime) He will provide for our spiritual refreshment in other ways.

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