I recently read a poll entitled the ‘Best Smells in the World’. Number one was hard to argue against as it was fresh air. Something that was definitely more noticeable during lockdown with less cars on the road. To my dismay bread (one of my personal favourites) was well down the list, not even making the top ten, in sixteenth. However, RAIN and FRESHLY CUT GRASS did make it into fifth and ninth place respectively. And this image forms the basis for our reflection this week.
It’s not a picture of who God is… as in previous weeks, but rather what God does.
“May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on
freshly cut grass, like the showers that water the
earth.”
Psalm 72:6 – NLT
“May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.
Psalm 72:6 – NIV
I opted for two different translations of the same text as I think it adds depth to our understanding. This verse is a picture of God’s presence with us, like walking in the rain – we feel it, it covers us, it touches us, we can’t avoid it and it’s heavy and broad. Last week we were reflecting on God as King, and when we allow him to rule in our lives, the effect is refreshment, an awakening of his Spirit upon us. Washing away our sins and the dirty mess of life we make and renewing us with the living water.
I want to be in that place daily of experiencing the refreshing rain of God upon me, as he reigns in my life.
The mown field or freshly cut grass not only enables us to visualise and almost smell the fragrance of God but is an image of his restoration as the sun scorched grass is renewed by the rain. As we allow the King of kings to rule and reign in all that we are and all that we have and long for, may we know His refreshing, and know we are restored.
The showers watering the earth are vital for growth.
Do we desire to Grow deeper and further in our relationship with Jesus?
I urge you this week to pray over this verse and reflect upon what it says to you. That you would find it REFRESHING your soul, RESTORING your heart, RENEWING your mind and growing your faith, hope and confidence in the Lord.
Here are some more Bible verses that pick up on this image of RAIN. Use these as you ponder this week:
“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.’
Hosea 6:3
“‘You heavens above, rain down my righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it;
I, the Lord, have created it.
Isaiah 45:8
“He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.
Psalm 147:8
– Mark.
