JANUARY 8, 2015
Extraordinary
Showers
Read: Ezekiel
34:25-31
There shall be showers of blessing. —Ezekiel
34:26
What do fish,
tadpoles, and spiders have in common? They have all fallen from the sky like
rain in various parts of the world. Fish fell on the Australian town of
Lajamanu. Tadpoles pelted areas of central Japan on multiple occasions. Spiders
showered down on the San Bernardo Mountains in Argentina. Although scientists
suspect that the wind plays a part in these intriguing showers, no one can
fully explain them.
The prophet Ezekiel
described a far more extraordinary downpour—a shower of blessing (Ezek. 34:26).
Ezekiel spoke of a time when God would send blessings like rain to refresh His
people. The Israelites would be safe from enemy nations. They would have enough
food, be liberated from slavery, and be freed from shame (vv.27-29). These
gifts would revive Israel’s relationship with God. The people would know that
God was with them, and that “they, the house of Israel, [were His] people”
(v.30).
God blesses His
modern-day followers too (James 1:17). Sometimes blessings abound like rain;
sometimes they trickle in one by one. Whether many or few, the good things we
receive come with a message from God: I see your needs. You are mine, and I
will care for you.
“There shall be showers of blessing”—
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above. —Whittle
Daily
blessings are daily reminders of God.
Insight
In today’s passage,
the prophet Ezekiel offers a message of future hope and peace to a nation that
had suffered defeat and was living in exile far from their homeland. Ezekiel
34:20-24 speaks of the shepherd who God will raise up to lead His people in the
wonderful age described in verses 25-31. Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd
(John 10:11-18), and the joy and peace described in Ezekiel 34 are ours only in
Him.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
