“The Redeemer Of The Rain”

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made” (Psalm 145:17). “We
know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,
who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
This week we are using songs we
heard at
a Collingsworth Family concert on Sunday afternoon which have prompted
our message themes and brief studies into God’s
Word. One of the reasons we enjoy the Collingsworth Family, in addition
to their outstanding harmony and the Biblical content of their songs,
is the way they weave everyday experiences into their musical
presentation.

Phil Collingsworth, the father, shared a story that was very personal
to him
concerning a friend who died of a heart attack at 37 years of age,
leaving a wife and 4 young children. He recalled the brokenness of
those at the
funeral service and more specifically seeing the tears of the young
widow
and her children. That was over 10 years ago and now one of those children is Phil and Kim
Collingsworth’s daughter-in-law Sharlenae. She sang lead vocals in the song, “Redeemer Of The Rain”. She could best sing it because she had
lived it through the loss of her father at a very tender age.

Today’s first daily text expresses a timeless truth concerning God: “The LORD is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made” (Psalm 145:17).
The greatest testing of our faith comes during intense or prolonged
trials when we find ourselves questioning God’s providence. At one time
or another we’ve all stated, “When it rains it pours”. Some of our
readers have had deep and difficult experiences
in this regard. I can think of many who have experienced
very severe heartache yet hold on to their faith and indeed experienced
the truth that Jesus is the redeemer of the rain.

For many of us Romans 8:28 is one of the first verses we put to memory
and for good reason. It has brought about deep assurance to many. “We
know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,
who have been called according to His purpose.”
Bible teacher William Newell writes, “Now we find in Romans 8:28 a
great marvel: all things work together for good to these believing
lovers of God. This involves God’s providence, His control of the most
infinitesimal things to bring them about for ‘good’ to God’s saints.”

It takes both rain and sunshine to grow that which sustains us
physically here on our earthly journey. Likewise it takes both joyous
and sorrowful experiences to grow us spiritually in our Christian
journey. Through the ups and downs, the rain and the sunshine, God is the Redeemer of the rain.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber