Let the Clouds Rain Down Righteousness

As I sit and listen to the much need rain pouring down outside my window, I am thankful for rain in August.

August usually brings with it a dearth of rainfall which negatively effects some of the gardeners production.

Like the precious fruit of the gardener's harvest is dependent upon the clouds breaking loose and releasing a thorough drenching rain, so are the souls of the earth dependent upon showers from heaven that rain down what is needed to cause both salvation and righteousness to sprout.

Isaiah 45:8

"Shower, O heavens, from above, 

and let the clouds rain down righteousness;

let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit;

let the earth cause them both to sprout;

I the LORD have created it.

Our salvation and righteousness are the fruit of heaven 

not the fruit of our hard work.

It is nothing that we decided to do or not do one day and then walk in a way that is pleasing to God but it is non other than the divine sovereign provision of the Lord.

Our lives in Christ were sprouted and grown by God Himself.

Psalm 85:10-13
Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;

righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs up from the ground,

and righteousness looks down from the sky.

Yes, the LORD will give what is good, 

and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him 
and make his footsteps a way.

You see,  the LORD gives us everything we need to be fruitful.  It is not our faithfulness to a specific task or our goodness that shines forth from our lives, but non other than the LORD doing the work that is necessary for us to walk in a way that is pleasing to Him.

We follow in the footsteps of the only Righteous One, not because we want to but because God has implanted the desire to follow hard after Him, for He is our righteousness.

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace you have been saved through faith.  

And this is not your own doing;  

it is the gift of God, not a result of works, 

so that no one may boast.  

For we are his workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand, 

that we should walk in them.

Our lives in Christ began because of Him and are sustained because of Him and as we walk we need not be anxious that we will not carry our God's will for our lives but we can rest in the assurance of Philippians 1:6;

And I am sure of this, 

that he who began a good work in you 

will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

You see our God and King resides in righteousness, justice, love and faithfulness so we can rely on His strength over our lives.

Psalm 89:14-18

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; 

steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, 

who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face, 

who exult in your name all the day 

and in your righteousness are exalted.

For you are the glory of their strength;

by your favor our horn is exalted.

For our shield belongs to the LORD, 

our kins to the Holy One of Israel.

We have been given a revelation of God and we have the light of His face to guide our lives.  God promises to strengthen us and protect us as we represent Him.

Again, scripture shows us that our lives are meant to bring Him glory.  Our righteousness comes from Him and is sustained by and through Him.

Oh Father, would you rend the heavens and come down, remove the curtain that is concealing your face from a blind world.

We thank You that You have called us our of darkness into Your glorious light to bring You glory.  We recognize that this is nothing we decide to start doing but it is non other than Your work.

Illuminate hearts and minds today for Your name sake.  We want to be a part of bringing in the harvest of souls but we recognize that it is ultimately Your doing.

Father use us we pray, strengthen us and protect us as we are guided by Your mighty right arm to conquer the nations for Your King!