Psalm 65:9-13
9 You visit the earth and water it;
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide the people with grain,
for so you have prepared it.
10 You water its furrows abundantly,
settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
and blessing its growth.
11 You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow;
the hills gird themselves with joy;
13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks;
the valleys deck themselves with grain;
they shout and sing together for joy.
9 You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it;
Last week, here in NW Ohio, the temperature topped 100 for days in a row. It was unbearably hot and humid with no relief to be found. And then, on Friday evening, the heavens finally opened and a steady rain began to fall.
I was working at my computer when the rain started. As soon as I saw it through the window, I rushed outside to greet the rain with upturned face and outstretched arms. The cold rain on my face felt like a kiss from God.
As I read today’s selection from Psalm 65, I was reminded that God’s Grace comes to us like that long awaited, desperately needed rain shower. When we’re miserable and exhausted from the struggles and burdens of life, God shows-up with an unexpected and refreshing outpouring of Grace.
Prayer: God, Our Creator and Sustainer, thank you for the cool, refreshing rain that renews the earth. Thank you, also, for the gentle showers of your Grace that renew our spirits. AMEN