When It Rains It Pours – A Devotion

Job 36:26-28 (NLT)

“Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted. He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain. The rain pours down from the clouds and everyone benefits.”

 

There is an old proverb that says, “It never rains, but it pours.” Morton Salt Company began in 1911 with a promise that damp weather would not stop their free flowing salt. Good Housekeeping promoted their product with a series of ad campaigns that boasted “when it rains it pours.” In 1914, while continuing to advertise and promote their product came up with the Morton Salt Girl who has become an iconic favorite making this one of the most successful ventures of all time. Everyone recognizes the little girl with the umbrella in pouring rain with a container of salt under her arm pouring out as she walks along. It would seem that my life has adopted this catchy slogan some days. Juggling to stay dry in the midst of pouring problems and maintaining my relationship with God is difficult in the midst of mounting adversity. I am the salt of the world. The Lord expects us to be that person in the midst of trouble this calling does not change. I feel as though I am that girl many times. The Morton Salt Girl has continued her walk for almost one hundred years. Hopefully, I can make it another ten minutes.

 

Adversity is part of life. The Morton Salt girl has been walking in the rain since 1914 never has her salt run out literally or figuratively. She is still recognized. Do people recognize my faith in the midst of great trials? How about when I am met with life’s unexpected? Do I respond as Jesus would or simply react to my circumstances? This life is not our resting place but a sojourn to Eternity that will have mountains and valleys. There will be days when everything goes smoothly and others that simply fall apart. However, God’s Desire for His People is that they remain consistent through it all. How does one establish such a feat? By faith, our destination is secure. Trust in God will allow our feet to walk when visibility is limited. Submission to the supreme authority and sovereignty of God allows us peace knowing that as a Child of God our safety is secure. With all this in mind, our mission as ambassadors to this world does not exempt us from our duty when crisis falls. But rather in the midst of life’s storms, our “salt” should flow freely, unrestricted and unhindered by the rain.

 

Matthew 5:1-13 (NLT)

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice
for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”

 

The Beatitudes are a powerful teaching of Jesus Christ. It paints a clear picture of life as a believer. Do not be deceived by the idea that Christianity is some sort of get rich quick scheme or multilevel marketing strategy where you move up a pyramid to Heaven. No, in order to experience the fulfillment of God, one must submit to self-sacrifice. There can be no salvation without relinquishment of pride. There can be no comfort unless there is mourning. There can be no inheritance unless there is humiliation. There can be no satisfaction without hunger. There can be no mercy without a debt. To see the Face of God there must be the flame of refinement. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to followers of Jesus Christ. True disciples experience persecution, ridicule and trouble for their faith. In the midst of it all, Jesus instructs us to be happy about it because it is confirmation of our faith and trust in Him. It is the true test of salvation. We are the salt of the earth. It is important that we remain effective even when the trials of life are pouring down on us. We must remain faithful in all these things. When it rains, salt should pour from our life.

 

Mark 9:49-50 (NLT)

“For everyone will be tested with fire.Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”

 

Thank you Lord for clearing that up, everyone will be tested by fire. Fire represents refinement and according to Jesus “everyone” will go through this process. So much for those who thought they had missed it and would not endure testing, Jesus says that you will. The more insistent a believer is to follow Jesus Christ, the hotter the fire. While striving for His Name Sake, one must be worthy of the calling. You are called to be salty. You must have the qualities of salt. What are the qualities of salt? Salt is a flavor enhancer. Do you enhance the life of others with love? Flavor is a good thing. Are you a blessing to other people? To be salt, it is a must. Salt has health benefits and is defined as a potential curer. Are you a benefit to others or constantly tearing others a part? Salt preserves which means it keeps alive and in existence. Do you preserve the lives of others by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with your life? It goes on to say that we are to “live in peace with each other.” So in the midst of adversity, believers are not exempt from being beneficial in the lives of others. We are to be the salt of the earth. To experience the blessings of God, we are going to go through stuff. In the midst of it all, we are to continue letting salt “freely flow” from our life through pounding rain and blinding tears. No one is exempt.

 

Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies!Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends,how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

 

People are prone to expect the worst in life. Not just in outcomes but other people. Just allow the person behind you in line at the grocery store to go before you if you don’t believe me. They are flabbergasted. They will hesitate believing there is some ulterior motive. Some will even decline your offer. Kindness is uncommon. To be even more convinced, the next time someone become argumentative or rude simply apologize quietly with no further commentary. They will deflate like a balloon. People expect to be taken advantage of, tricked, lied to and abused. It is the way of the world. But love them unexpectedly and they are silenced in unbelief. It has the ability to change lives. If God did not love the “evil” people all around us, He would not care and provide for them. There would be no need to sustain them if Jesus did not wait on their return. The rudest, meanest, most aggravating people you know are overwhelmingly loved by God no matter how unlovable they appear. The Father hopes that you will help make a difference in that person’s life. God is calling His Imperfect People to “perfect” love.  You have this ability because the Spirit of the Living God is alive in you! To be salt, there must be refinement in order for your flavor to be strong and palatable. Humility allows us to love our enemies and those who persecute us in the midst of the fire. Kindness to your friends is expected but kindness to an enemy is extraordinary. Those who are the salt of the earth love good people and evil ones as well, because they possess the purified heart of the Father. Salt is purified in fire. The test you are in the midst of is making you more useful to God. It is setting you up for blessing. Allow yourself to be used by God and His Righteousness will pour into your life from His Kingdom. Every promise will come true.

 

Philippians 2:16-18 (NLT)

Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

 

If it is pouring in your life today, please take comfort in knowing that God is preparing you for all the blessings of His Kingdom and the fulfillment of His Promises for your life. You are not being picked on but simply pouring out what God has filled you with to make more room for an even greater anointing. The pressure you feel is refinement. God is purifying your heart. His Love for you is passionately burning away the insufficiencies and fortifying you in your weakness. Hold tight to your confession of faith for it is the Word of Life. Run the race of faith without stopping but remain committed. Continue to pour out the Love of God – you will not run dry for the Lord will keep it freely flowing through your life. Don’t be afraid of the rain it is washing away your sin and maintaining your righteousness in His Sight. Your faithful service is an offering to God and He is a Great Rewarder of those who seek Him. Rejoice in suffering for it creates hunger and thirst for God that will be satisfied and produce contentment in your life. Keep walking through the storm with the Lord as your Protector pouring out salt as you make your way by His Grace!