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Showers of Grace, January 17
Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall
make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass
in the field.
Zechariah 10:1
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In the East the former rain falls at the sowing time. It is necessary in
order that the seed may germinate. Under the influence of the fertilizing
showers, the tender shoot springs up. The latter rain, falling near the close of
the season, ripens the grain, and prepares it for the sickle. The Lord employs
these operations of nature to represent the work of the Holy Spirit. As the dew
and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen
the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to
another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents
the completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul. By the power of the
Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We
are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ....
Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have
not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect
that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance
of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They
are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human
heart in giving His light and knowledge must be continually going forward.
Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied
of every defilement, and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit.
It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and
consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The same work, only in
greater degree, must be done now. Then the human agent had only to ask for
the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him. It is
God who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete
in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the
former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive
greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the
active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy
Spirit in the latter rain.—
The Review and Herald, March 2, 1897
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