Blessings Rain Down
In the Bible, God often uses rain as an illustration of blessing.
- I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: (Job 5:8-10)
Questions
- Why was rain and water upon the fields such a marvelous thing for the people who lived in Job’s time?
- Is it still a blessing to us? Why?
- What would happen if the Creator withheld rain?
Rain Provides Food for Life on Earth
- Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. (Psalm 147:7-9)
Questions
- How does rain provide for the grass of the mountains, and the other plants and trees of Earth?
- How does this help animals and people?
Plants Need Lots of Water
- A single Douglas Fir tree can hold 5,000 gallons of water.
- One acre of forest can drink in 250,000 gallons.
God Provides a Constant Source of Fresh Water
- The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. (Proverbs 3:19-20)
The Water Cycle
- The heat of the sun causes water to evaporate, leaving behind impurities. That water forms clouds that drift, eventually releasing the water as rain, sleet, or snow.
Questions
- What would happen to the Earth without the water cycle?
- What can we learn about the Creator from the water cycle?
The Benefits of a Storm
Although storms often times seem terrifying and devastating, they actually provide good things that we need to live.
- He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. (Jeremiah 10:12-13)
Storms
- Storm clouds provide shade, and reflect hot sunlight back out into space to keep our earth the right temperature.
- Thunderstorms also help to keep air clean. As air rises, pollutants and dust are carried up into our atmosphere. During storms, rain removes that pollution from the air.
- Lightning maintains the right electrical balance between the Earth and our atmosphere.
- Also, lightning strikes nitrogen gas in our atmosphere, producing nitrogen which fertilizes plants.
- Winds break-up pockets of pollution, carry oxygen to places where it’s needed, regulates temperatures, and distributes seeds around the world.
Questions
- Can you think of other benefits of storms?
- How do storms show the love of our Creator?
Snow Storms
The book of Job has more references to snow, ice, and cold than any other book in the Bible.
- Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: (Job 6:16)
- If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; (Job 9:30)
- They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. (Job 24:7)
- Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned. (Job 24:19)
- For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. (Job 37:6)
- Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. (Job 37:9)
- Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, (Job 38:22)
- Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? (Job 38:29)
Snow is Important Because
- It creates a blanket that protects plants, seeds and animals from the cold winter.
- It also stores water, and releases it gradually back into the world’s water supply as the weather becomes warmer.
- The white color of the snow reflects the sun’s heat back into space, keeping the snow from melting as quickly as if it had been another color.
- Because snow melts gradually, it prevents large-scale flooding as the water is released.
Questions
- What are other reasons that you think God made snow?
- How does snow show the Creator’s design?
Prayer
End your devotion by praying as a family. Thank the Creator for His love and blessing in making storms!
