But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: a land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year. And it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, that I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. | ||
| Deuteronomy 11:11–15 | ||
| The mention of “latter rain” also appears in Jeremiah 5, Hosea 6, Joel 2, and James 5 - where it speaks of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. “There’s coming a time,” the Lord says, “when I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams” (see Joel 2:28). We are already seeing the beginning of a wonderful last day’s outpouring, where people are being filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. But it’s only the beginning. The Lord wants to save souls and bring in a huge harvest in these last days. And He’s going to empower us to an even greater degree. The latter rain is not something we pump up emotionally, but that which the Lord pours out upon those who simply love Him and give themselves in service to Him. “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth,” Jesus said (Acts 1:8). Power is given for the purpose of service. Therefore, on us who say, “Lord, I love You. That’s why I’m here. And I want to serve You. Use me,” the Lord will pour out His Spirit in order that we might be His witnesses. Pastor Jon Courson | ||
