Obedience is better than sacrifice! God prepared a tremendous life, filled with blessings, benefits and satisfaction for all who would walk within His Kingdom guidelines. In this article, we will look at a very specific reward that triggers amazing results in a person's life: Spiritual Rain.   "And if you diligently heed My commandments which I command you this day - to love the Lord your God and to serve Him with all your mind and heart and with your entire being - I will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil." (Deuteronomy 11:13-14) In this passage, God was speaking to a people who were living in a very dry dessert at the time. They did not have much experience of rain or moisture at all. Yet the Lord was making a wonderful promise to them: "I will give you rain in its season." They were ready for rain! Their dry season caused their hearts to yearn for an outpouring! We too, have a promise of rain. If we would meet the conditions of this powerful promise God would surely open the heaven over our lives as well. This verse suggests that the Lord would give enough rain for whatever season we are in. There will not be a drought nor will there be a flood. In fact we read in Joel 2:23 that He gives us the former or early rain in just measure and in righteousness.  Early Rain The early rain God promised is the pre-season rain. It is the rain that announces the end of the dry season and ushers in a planting season. The early rain prepares the soil for seed. It activates the germination of seed already in the ground. Farmers usually wait for the early rains before putting their seed in the ground.  Spiritually, the early rain is very significant and important in the life of the believer. This moisture triggers the growth of the awesome seed of God's word in our lives. It allows the hidden potential and destinies of God for our lives to spring forth. Without this early or former rain there would not be spiritual germination in our lives and our life-potential would remain dormant in us. I believe the early rain here is a type of the work of Jesus in our lives. Think about it, Jesus is the Word Who became flesh (John 1:14). The word of the Lord is also typified as water. (Eph. 5:26) Jesus broke our spiritual drought by providing us with early rains of salvation, forgiveness and deliverance. He rescued us from dessert-life and introduced us to an abundant life! (John 10:10) He activated our faith and enabled the principles of the Kingdom to take root in our lives!

Latter Rain

The latter rain is equally important to ensure a rich harvest. This is the rain that ushers in harvest season. A rain so penetrating that it accelerates growth and ripens the harvest. Without this latter seasonal rain the initial growth prompted by the early rain will be in vain. The harvest will be small and almost non-existent. The latter rain is the reaping rain.

 

Spiritually, the latter rain is paramount to produce a tremendous Kingdom harvest in us. This rain builds on the work the early rain accomplished. It rounds off a growth season with the rewards of an abundant harvest of blessing. It maximizes your spiritual harvest and increase your ability to produce. The latter rain enables you to reap more so you can have a greater impact in life!

 

I believe the latter rain typifies the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (Acts 2:17) The work and ministry of the Holy Spirit compliments and enhances the work of Jesus in our lives. The presence of Both will render your life complete and thrust you into a fertile season of immense spiritual growth and make your life a harvest of blessing for those around you!

 

Results and Rewards

There are three tremendous blessings connected to the early and latter rain in your life:

1. You'll gather your grain

The Hebrew word for grain means "increase / to move rapidly". Grain here, is a type of the promises and words of God in your life. The Lord watches over His word, eager to perform them. The Lord is eager to move rapidly in your life to fulfill His promises to you. He wants to bring you increase in every area of your life.

2. You'll have new wine

According to the Hebrew word used here, new wine speaks of the "best of the best" in your life. It identifies God's absolute best in you and to you. The presence of new wine gives you access to the best that Heaven has to offer! God so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son . . . (John 3:16) For you, He is willing to bring out the best! What will you do for Him? The Lord does not want to withhold any blessings from you, but will impart to you all you need to realize your maximized potential! 

3. You'll have oil       

The oil mentioned here is the oil that produces light. This blessing ensures that you will never be in the dark again! Your life-direction will be illuminated, the answers to your life-questions will shine in your heart like spotlights. You'll have a sense of direction within any situation you are faced with. Can you see the importance of such a blessing?

It all starts with loving God and serving Him with all your heart, mind and strength! Love suggests intimacy, interaction and relationship. As a servant your life revolves around bringing honor to your Master in all you do, say and think, accomplishing every task He gives you with fervency, passion and humility. Your desire to to bring honor to him is not a task or burden to you, but flow from a deep love for Him in your heart.

Heavenly Father,

We declare our love and devotion to You. We worship You with our words and deeds, wishing to bring honor and glory to Your name. We summit to Your plans and purposes for our lives.  We ask for Your will to be done in us. Please raise the water levels in our lives and break the spiritual drought that we are so often caught up in. Shower on us both the early and the latter rain of Your Spirit. Soak our hearts with the water of Your Word. Activate our life potential and accelerate our spiritual growth. Prepare us for Your awesome Kingdom harvest. May Your anointing on us touch many people as we share Your love to the world.

In Jesus Name, Amen.