The Former and Latter Rain

UV 1388/10,000 The Former and Latter Rain
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth
Hosea 6 v 3

If we continue in faith, fellowship and knowing the Lord, He will send us refreshing rain. The rain refers to the flow of His word, His blessings, His mercy and His grace. We need to receive His mercy or forgiveness before we can receive His blessings. In order to receive His mercy, we need to hear and obey His Word. His mercy is the former rain while grace is the latter rain, the blessings that come once we are walking in faith with the Lord. The former rain also refers to the blessings of our early days of knowing the Lord while the latter rain refers to the blessings and joy of our later days. In the season of the former rain, we should be thirsty like parched soil. We should drink in all we can know of the Lord and His Word. In the season of the latter rain, we should be overflowing with ceaseless prayer, praise and thanksgiving. The former rain also means the first rain that come in spring while the latter rain falls in autumn. The spring rain is a metaphor of blessings when things are going good for us while the autumn rain is the comfort, strength and encouragement the Lord sends our way in difficult times.

A human being can either be blessed by the Lord or messed up on his own. It is the message from the Lord that keeps us from messing up our lives. When we know and love the Lord, He will show us the paths that lead up to salvation. Like morning rain softens the hardened ground and mixes with the nutrients in the soil for the plants to absorb, the message of the Lord softens our hardened hearts and mingles with our own understanding to nourish our souls and cause it to grow. The words, “ he shall come unto us as the rain” implies that He would come to us in a surprising way, when we are not expecting Him even as we are often surprised by a shower on a hot summer day.

The first half of our lives we should do all the growing in faith and knowledge of God and of His word as much as we can. This is the former rain. The focus is the message from the Lord. The second half of our lives, we should yield or bear fruit. The focus is being a messenger for the Lord. Jesus said, “ A tree is known by the fruit it bears.” We are known by our contribution, by the qualities of our character or the fruit of the spirit. The season of the former rain is the season when we are growing and learning. The season of the latter rain is when we are mature in our relationship, understanding, knowledge and love of the Lord. We are more secure and full of assurance that we are the chosen of the Lord. We have dealt with our fears and insecurities. We are now rooted in faith and able to weather any storm, having the confidence and hope that the Lord will take us through safely. We are more focussed on the fruit and not on the gifts of the Lord. We are not easily swayed or moved by threats, fears, temptations or trials. We are continually rejoicing, delighting in the fellowship of the Lord.

Prateep V Philip