Showers of Blessings

6:46

Praise God!

* Whittle, Daniel W. “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing.” Music by James McGranahan. 1983. Published in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration: Containing Scriptures from the New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, the Holy Bible, New International Version, the New King James Version. Edited by Tom Fettke. Waco, TX: Word Music, 1986. p. 289. Print.

“And I will confirm with them a covenant of peace and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land, and (My people) shall dwell safely in the wilderness, desert, or pastureland and sleep (confidently) in the woods. And I will make them and the places round about My hill a blessing, and I will cause the showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing (of good insured by God’s favor). And the tree of the field shall yield its fruit and the earth shall yield its increase; and (My people) shall be secure in their land, and they shall be confident and know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have delivered them out of the hand of those who made slaves of them. And they shall no more be a prey to the nations, or shall the beasts of the earth devour them, but they shall dwell safely and none shall make them afraid (in the day of the Messiah’s reign). And I will raise up for them a planting of crops for renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land nor bear the reproach of the nations any longer. Then shall they know (positively) that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the house of Israel, are My people, says the Lord God, and that you, My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, are (only) men and I am your God, says the Lord God” (Ezekiel 34:25-31 AMP).

Showers of Blessings on Oaks of Righteousness

God’s goodness is falling all around us. Much more than a soft, warm breeze after a hard, cold season—His showers of blessings are full of mercy and grace, cleansing, healing, comfort, and joy, deliverance and restoration. They are just what we need to become strong and beautiful “oaks of righteousness” that glorify God. (Isaiah 61:3 AMP) To those who receive His showers—the Lord is saying that this is the season of Ezekiel 34 and Isaiah 61.

His heart for us—as shown in the full chapter of Ezekiel 34—is that of a true shepherd in search of His scattered and battered sheep. He wants to deliver them from their cruel and irresponsible shepherds. He wants His sheep—His people—found, fed, healed, delivered, strengthened, blessed, and resting with Him in safety. In the following excerpt He says,

“…oaks of righteousness (lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God), the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Aliens shall stand (ready) and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; people will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the wealth of the nations, and the glory (once that of your captors) shall be yours. Instead of your (former) shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach (your people) shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land they shall possess double (what they had forfeited); everlasting joy shall be theirs. For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong with violence or a burnt offering. And I will faithfully give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with them. And their offspring shall be known among nations and their descendants among the peoples. All who see them (in their prosperity) will recognize and acknowledge that they are the people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as (surely as) the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so (surely) the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations (through the self-fulfilling power of His word)” (Isaiah 61:3b-11 AMP).

Ezekiel’s message—full of hope and promise—shows God's love of justice and His love for us. He wants to shower His people with His blessings. So to quote an old hymn, “There shall be showers of blessing…seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above…reviving again; Over the hills and the valleys…abundance of rain…Send them upon us, O Lord…Come, and now honor Thy Word” that we might be called: