“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 (NIV)

The latest census shows that 80% of Americans live in urban and suburban areas. Only 20% live in the rural areas that make up the vast majority of the map. Growing up in Iowa, one inherently learns that there is a connection between life and agriculture. When life depends on agriculture, the weather plays a major part of the days and seasons.

When I was young, there was a summer marked by severe drought. I remember that an unexpected rain shower broke out one evening near a town where the farmers and residents had gathered to pray for rain. The local television station immediately scrolled the news across the screen.

For the ancients, agriculture and the weather was more critical than it is for American farmers today. A drought means major economic hardship in the heartland, but back in Hosea’s day a drought meant famine and death. Rain was equated with the perpetuation of life itself.

Just prior to reading through these ancient prophecies of Hosea, this chapter-a-day journey trekked through Amos. The prophet Amos came just before Hosea, and his prophecies were all angry protest songs filled with judgement and condemnation for the corruption and evil that was happening in the land. I find Hosea presenting a contrasting message that is more far-sighted than Amos. Yes, there is the condemnation of evil and a calling out of the corruption, but Hosea’s vision continually sees beyond the judgement and exile to the restoration and blessing God is also promising on the other side of it.

I can’t help but wonder if Hosea’s own relationship with his promiscuous and adulterous wife, and the redemption and restoration of his marriage, provided him a larger understanding of God’s own heart.

In describing the restored relationship after the time of exile, Hosea begins by assuring his listeners that God’s love and grace will appear “as surely as the sun rises.” I was reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy: “If we are faithless, God remains faithful for he cannot disown Himself.” Hosea then provides a beautiful word picture: God comes like the rain. The water of life pours from heaven, replenishing the land from the death of winter; Giving birth to new life and the promise of an abundant harvest to come.

In the quiet this morning, I find myself appreciating Hosea’s far-sightedness to look beyond the impending drought of judgement and exile. Glancing back over my shoulder, I remember seasons of drought that have dotted my spiritual journey. I have found that drought happens spiritually just as it does in the physical world. However, with each season of drought, God has always, eventually “come to me like the rain”that replenishes, restores, and gives birth to new life.

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.