I WISH IT WOULD RAIN
Hosea 10:12
Intro: The Bible speaks specifically about two types of rains. These rains mentioned in the Bible refer to the blessings of God. You can read of the famines in the Bible and find that most of them were caused by the lack of rain. God would withdraw his blessings away from his people. The first rain talked about is the early or former rains. These rains came toward the end of October and were very important in that it prepared the ground for tilling and marked the opening of agriculture season in those times. The other rains were known as the latter rains. They were even more important because they marked the beginning of the harvest and usually came in March or April. It also marked the beginning of a long, hot summer when the ground would dry up and the earth would crack. All of these rains had to happen prior to a season. First the early rain so they could prepare to plant and the latter so they could prepare to harvest. If the rain didn’t come then the land wouldn’t be fit for either. I am relating these to the spirit of the believer and I want to preach on the subject, “I WISH IT WOULD RAIN.”
If we would be willing to admit it many of us have been through a long, hot, dry summer spiritually. If the soil of our soul were to be exposed people would see cracks and dust. Unto God that it would rain upon us to prepare us for the harvest. If there is going to be harvest there has got to be some rain.
I. PATIENCE FOR PLOWING
A. We have got to wait for the rain before we plow. If you start plowing in dry ground you are going to stir up dust.
B. Rocks and roots do not come out easily if they come out at all.
C. After Jesus was gone the Apostles didn’t take off and go running through the street preaching
D. (Acts 1:14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren
E. I have heard they waited there ten days before the Holy Ghost came.
F. What they were doing during that time was preparing themselves for what was to come. It is true the Holy Ghost would have come anyway in the fulfillment of prophecy but because those 120 tarried and prayed and had patience 3,000 souls were saved
G. I WISH IT WOULD RAIN
II. PREPARATION FOR PLOWING
A. Prepare the plow (Sharp plow)
1. (2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
B. A sharp plow can cut deep and straight and when the roots try to stop if and the rocks try to through it off course with will continue of its path because it was prepared ahead of time
C. Prepare the yoke – ( A farmer that plowed with an oxen made the yoke smooth , light and fitted so that it didn’t callous the oxen)
D. The yoke attaches the servant to the master but it also attached the master to the servant.
E. (Matthew 11:29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls
F. (Matthew 11:30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
G. It is much easier to plow after it has rained
H. I WISH IT WOULD RAIN
III. PRESSURE IN PLOWING
A. The plow in Biblical times only had one handle
B. This represents the Will of God in our life. Only one person can control that plow
C. When a person puts their hand on the plow spiritually they have committed themselves to the Will of God and have said Lord start plowing and I am not looking back
D. Pressure during the plowing keeps us straight
E. Sometimes there is a lot of pressure. Sometimes just a little but if the Lord does not keep some pressure on us we will not stay straight
F. We will look back and when you are plowing you cant look back or you will get crooked
G. When the ground is soft and fallowed it is easy to keep a straight row
H. (Hosea 10:12) Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord till he come and rain righteousness upon you
I. I WISH IT WOULD RAIN
IV. PRESSURE FOR PLANTING
A. Planting is usually done in the broadcasting method
B. This method represent the sharing of the Gospel
C. But regardless of how the seed is planted if someone doesn’t come behind the sower and cover it up it will never grow. This illustrates love.
D. (Mark 16:15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world , and preach the gospel to every creature
E. Then wait on the rain
F. I WISH IT WOULD RAIN
