By Holly Culhane
As the most populous state in the US and a major agricultural producer, drought in California can have severe economic and environmental impacts. As I write this blog, 15 of the last 21 years have been riddled with drought for Californians – including 2020 and 2021.
You can imagine how thrilled we were, then, when recently the rain poured down from the heavens. “It’s just pouring!” or “It’s still pouring!” were exclamations uttered from our lips more times than we could count that Sunday.
With record wildfires raging year after year – many very close to our home – we were thrilled when we received 11 inches of rain that weekend. And we’ve loved hearing every drop of water showered upon us since that time. We know it’s nourishing the earth, may lead to the end of the current drought, and will make for a remarkably beautiful spring. We know the rain will deliver.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11
Just as the rain I hear dropping in bucket loads outside of my window today will not return to me empty in the months ahead, the same is true of the sacred Scriptures.
Every promise. Every prophecy. Every Word.
Without exception.
Will deliver.
It will accomplish what God desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it.
Let’s live like we believe the words of God delivered through the prophet Isaiah. Let’s shepherd in a manner that demonstrates provision, protection, and presence for those we influence and reflects our belief in the complete sovereignty of our God – even when it’s pouring.
