Joel 2:23

 23 Be glad, people of Zion,  rejoice in the Lord your God,

for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful.

He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

Oh what a blessing it is to know that the Lord is faithful!  To trust in His never-ending care, peace and rest!  What an unassailable promise we have in the refreshing of our hearts, minds and souls by the power of our Almighty God!  Beloved, in this Christian walk we face many days of great turbulence and struggle.  There are times when worry and fear sneak up on us like a thief in the night and threaten to steal away the simple joys of serving our Faithful God.  It seems that we make much of the Lord’s faithfulness in the midst of great struggle and fear.  And rightfully so!  The Lord is faithful in our struggles, of this there is no doubt!  But we must also make much of God’s faithfulness through times of great peace!  Today, let us remember that the Lord is equally faithful to send us times of great peace and joyous rest!  Like the autumn and spring rains refresh, soften, and prepare the earth for times of growth, and rejuvenation, so too does our Precious Lord prepare our hearts and lives to receive this same blessing when we need it most.  Be glad people of God!  Rejoice in the God of your salvation!  His rest is never far off.  He always stands on the ready to give His encouragement and peace to those who need it most, when they need it most.  There is a time for sorrow, a time for mourning and a time for sadness, but my prayer is that it is not this day!  Even if your circumstances are difficult, dire or uncertain, we can still find deep, soaking and refreshing rest in Him.  Remember this day, dear Beloved, to find your refreshment in the faithfulness and care of the Lord.  “Soak” your very soul in His precious Word.  Allow the deep, penetrating rain of the comfort of our Heavenly Father to penetrate your heart as you seek His fellowship in prayer.  Let the showers of gladness fill your mind with the remembrance of the Greatness of our God as you worship the Lord with your lips and with your whole being.  Sing to the Lord all ye people!  Shout to the Lord with gladness and joy!  Today is a day of refreshing!  May a calm, steady, soaking “rain” of gladness fill your life as you rest in Him.

Yours in Christ,

 Pastor John