Moderns in the city and suburbia use the word “drought” carelessly. The fact is, that most of us have been raised without care or thought of weather when it relates to our very livelihood. The fact is, the drought of 2007 has been devastating to the deep south region. It is the talk of this rural region just as it is the talk of South, being that it is now considered the worst drought in the history of this region. If you could only see what the lands, that normally are flourishing with bounteous greenery and fields and streams of plenty, look like after many consistent days of over 100 degree heat and no rain for weeks, nor substantial rain for months and a forcast for continued over 100 degree weather with no rain. It is absolutely unreal and just flat out scary!
We were driving into town the other day, mile after mile we were seeing the dry parched earth; literally, a dust bowl with barren fields and dry ponds. My husband prayed a prayer of thanks today that had me really thinking. It went something like, “Thank you Father, for even the heat outside reminds us of how you redeemed us from very the fires of Hell.” That wasn’t exactly what I was thinking, but at least he put a perspective on a very depressing, miserable, unprecedented summer.
Today, we learned what ultra water conservation was! The drought is now affecting our regularly daily living of basic dishes and laundry to the point that I am not able to do these things like normal. Tonight I checked the spring tank and we have a foot of water in our tank with a slow trickle of spring water that is coming forth from this thirsty ground. We trust the Lord and know He will preserve us.
Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
In church on Sunday, I was feeling the weight of the seriousness of this drought as I listened to several men in the church pray earnestly to God for rain. Simple rain that many of us take for granted too many times.
I was encouraged by the leadership of the governor of Alabama, our sister state, who recognizes that our dependency is upon Almighty God and without is aid and favor we are helpless. I have heard the the governor of Georgia has also issued a similar proclamation.
This is the proclamation that Gov. Bob Riley of Alabama issued last month calling on citizens to pray for rain.
WHEREAS, Alabama is suffering from a devastating drought that threatens the livelihood of many of our citizens and reduces the quality of life for all citizens; and….
WHEREAS, throughout our history, Alabamians have turned in prayer to God to humbly ask for his blessings and to hold us steady during times of difficulty:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby encourage citizens of Alabama to pray daily for rain…. (read more)
At least Governor Riley recognizes the One, True God and our dependence upon Him. The governor of Tennessee has relied on the USDA and federal aid, which is nothing but a false sense of security and a invitation for further judgment!
The press release from the governor of Alabama’s office about the prayer proclamation went further to say:
Don Wambles, Director of the Alabama Farmers Market Authority, commends the Governor for recognizing the seriousness of our current situation and his willingness to call Alabamians to pray. “There are many references in the Bible to God’s assurance of answering prayer but maybe the most fitting for our current situation is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. ‘If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.’ We need God’s forgiveness and our land needs His healing. This verse of scripture tells us how to achieve that,” said Wambles.
The first proclamation we should be declaring are proclamations of widespread repentance and return to the God of our founding fathers through whose obedience, God was pleased and blessed this nation beyond any nation on earth. We live in a nation now that is a far cry from what we use to be! Mr. Wambles correctly identifies the first and foremost issue by stating that “We need God’s forgiveness and our land needs His healing.” The hope is in widespread repentance and reformation.
Deut. 8:19-20 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.
Jeremiah 50:38 38 A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.
I found much comfort in reading scriptures about drought and famine tonight because it only illuminates and shows forth the power of God. He sends the rains. He withholds rain. He controls the weather. He is completely sovereign and all powerful! Our duty is to walk wholly after Him, submitting to His will and obeying his commands. In our obedience, we are blessed.
It’s interesting that the director of the Farmer’s Market could better discern what really needed to be done….Repent. Perhaps the official proclamation should have read something like this: (not to pick on Alabama we each could insert our own state for Alabama.)
Whereas, the people of Alabama have sinned grievously before the Lord by allowing unborn babies to be slaughtered daily; and
Whereas, we have further sinned by destroying the first and most basic institution established by God, the family, by allowing no fault divorce and sodomite parents; and
Whereas, we as a people have begun to call good evil and evil good; and
Whereas, God is a holy God and demands obedience to His law; and
Whereas, we are told in the word of God that God is just and that he judges the nations for their sins; and
Whereas, the scripture further indicates that God, by his sovereignty, controls every aspect of his creation, including the weather; and
Whereas, our prayers will not be heard by a holy God when we live in a depraved state of perpetual sin; and
Whereas, our only hope is in the divine mercy of a holy and just Creator;
Be it firmly resolved, that all Alabamians repent of their sins, that our government, which represents all Alabamians, enact biblical laws to punish those who do commit public sins according to the word of God, and that having sufficiently turned from our wicked ways every Alabamian cry out to God for mercy in the midst of the judgment we so readily deserve.
As a family who lives in Alabama, I can wholeheartedly agree with you. Experiencing the drought and high temperatures of late have been quite sobering. We are still in the infrastructure stages of developing our farm, but our eyes have been opened to the community of suffering around us.
Crops here in AL have suffered a late freeze earlier this year, and then the subsequent drought. The hay shortage of last year has made stockpiles thin this year. Cattle farmers are selling their cows because they can’t afford to feed hay due to the lack of pasture. I’m sure the list goes on…
Our prayers are with you and your family and all of those out there who are being affected. Maybe we rest in God’s sovereign plan and be sanctified through this time.
Howdy!
Well, while I believe the Scripture always holds true I do not believe that every act of weather is a sovereign act of God. If it is, does that mean that Texas is now beating Tennessee and Alabama in the morality contest?
I don’t know about the morality contest….flooding can be a pretty serious judgment as well. 🙂
Here is a list of judgment by weather found in scriptures and in history:
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-c023.html
While every act of weather may not be a direct judgment from God, it is absolutely controlled by Him. Otherwise he farmed out the management responsibilities of Earth to someone else and didn’t tell us. 🙂
Also here is another commentary on judgment in general which is an excellent piece that reminds us, no matter what the judgment, the purpose is to call us back to God through repentance.
http://www.theamericanview.com/index.php?id=895
Not to spoil the article, but the text it expounds upon is from Luke 13:1-5.
“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
to change a famous quote, “weather happens”…. Author unknown, but pretty sure it was Forrest Gump.
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