Zechariah 10:1
“Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.”
Asking for rain during the rainy season is an unusual command. God told His people that during the latter rain they were to ask Him for more rain. He was teaching them not to wait until the blessings dried up before they ask Him for more blessings.
There is a far deeper truth in this verse that will be missed if we stopped there. For the rain to come, then there must be “bright clouds” and showers to make the grass grow. God was not only teaching that we must ask for blessings before they are dried up, but He was also teaching that blessings come through hardship and work. Let me show you what it takes to make blessings a blessing.
First, you must have prayer to get God’s blessings. It says in the verse above, “Ask ye the LORD…” God commands us to ask Him for blessings. I heard a preacher once say that we are not to ask God for blessings. That is not true! God has blessings for you, but He will not give them to you until you ask Him for them. You should not wait until your blessings dry up, but you should ask Him for blessings while you are being blessed. You’ll notice God told them to ask for rain “in the time of the latter rain.” You should not feel bad asking God to bless you while you are being blessed because God commands you to do that. You may experience some of God’s blessings without prayer, but God has many more blessings for you if you will just ask Him even while you are being blessed.
Second, you can’t have blessings without storms. Before you ever experience the blessings, you must experience the storms. Notice it says, “…so the LORD shall make bright clouds,…” “Bright clouds” is talking about lightening. Lightening happens in thunderstorms. You must understand that when God sends storms your way, He is preparing you to receive a blessing. Many Christians want the blessing without the storms, but the storms are part of how the blessings come. You may not enjoy the storms you endure, but you must realize they are part of the process in which blessings come.
Third, you can’t have blessings without cloudy days. God says, “…and give them showers of rain,…” Rain does not come on sunny days, but rain comes on cloudy days. Friend, every day can’t be a sunny day. Blessings would not be a blessing if you had them all the time. What makes a blessing a blessing is that it is something that you’ve not had for awhile. The sun seems to always shine brighter after a cloudy day. Don’t despair in the cloudy days, for God has blessings on the way.
Fourth, you can’t have blessings without work. You will notice that the storms and cloudy days caused the grass of the field to grow. If the grass grows, then someone has to mow the grass. Always remember that God’s blessings are not entitlements, but they are given so more work can be done for Him. Blessings always produce more work to be done. Don’t complain about the work that has to be done, for that is part of the blessing.
So, you really want blessings? If you do, then you must not complain when the days are cloudy and the storms are raging. If you want blessings, then you must get yourself ready to do work, for they always require work. The work that blessings produce are not bad, for work always puts food on the table. Let me encourage you to not complain about or run from the storms and cloudy days. Realize that blessings are on the way. Furthermore, don’t complain about the work the blessings produced, for that is all a part of what makes a blessing a blessing.