The Latter Rain and Earth’s Harvest
WE are nearing earth’s great harvest time, the time to which our illuminated text applies. Turn to Joel 2. The first verse is a warning that the day of the Lord is at hand, full of trouble, because of earth’s seed-sowing of sin. The following verses name some of the dreadful calamities to visit the earth. Verses 12 to 17 are strong appeals to all God’s people to repent with all the heart. Verses 18 to 27 are God’s promises to His people who heed His admonitions and turn to Him “with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” In verse 23 is the promise of the outpouring of the former and the latter rain. The former rain was poured out upon the early church; the last days will witness the outpouring of both the former rain and the latter rain, the shedding forth of God’s Spirit. THOSE who sow to righteousness can then “be glad” and “rejoice in the Lord your God.” God “will do great things” for His people if they will but trust in Him. They “shall eat in plenty and be satisfied.” God will multiply the sowing thirtyfold, sixtyfold, a hundred fold. Therefore give thanks to God. “Be glad and rejoice.” “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”