My father-in-law used to plant a huge garden every year and never even thought about watering it. That’s because he lived in an area where he depended upon the regular rains to irrigate it during the growing season. It was quite a shock for my wife to discover that one must continually water the lawn and plants here in this drier climate.
Sometimes rain comes in gentle showers and at other times in pounding downpours. God controls the rain and decides when and where it will fall (Job 5:10) (Gen 7:a4) (1 Ki 18:1) (Lev 26:4). He causes it to rain on one city and not on another (Amos 4:7). He also makes it rain on the just and the unjust alike (Mt 5:45).
Rain is used in several metaphors throughout the Bible. God will rain righteousness on those who seek Him (Hos 10:12). However, He will rain snares; fire and brimstone upon the wicked (Ps 11:6). He promised to rain blessings upon the obedient (Mal 3:10) (Ez 34:26). He literally rained bread (manna) from heaven on the Israelites during the wilderness wanderings (Ex 16:4). His doctrine shall drop as the rain then as well as now (De 32:2).
When Christians deal with brethren or outsiders, our words should be like gentle raindrops not destructive hailstones (2 Sam 23:4) (1 Tim 3:3) (Eph 4:2) (Col 4:5). Jesus himself said, “…for I am gentle and humble in heart…” (Mt 11:29).
Those who live in a rainy place soon learn to carry an umbrella to avoid getting soaked. Christians need to protect themselves from the constant attacks of the devil and the evil that exists in this world. They have the indwelling Holy Spirit who acts as a spiritual umbrella to shield them from the constant downpours of temptation and false doctrine.
Jim Bailey