Church meeting Devotions: Refreshing Rains - Psalm 72

Psalm 72:6      He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the Earth.

I love it when it rains after I have mown the lawn. It makes me feel as though I have accomplished something worthwhile and the smell of the newly mown wet grass is refreshing to me. When I lived in Scotland and watched the farmers bring in the harvest, it was always wonderful to experience the rains that soon followed. They brought promises of a new set of seasons and the continuance of God’s blessing upon the rural community.

This psalm is about the changing of the seasons, from one king’s reign to another. It’s a coronation prayer for Solomon, as well as a prayerful plea that the blessings of God will continue upon the people and the land throughout this new monarchy. The mown field represents all that David had accomplished in the past. The refreshing rains are meant to symbolize communal blessings under Solomon’s reign for the future.

It’s also a good verse to remember when we each begin a new journey or phase in our lives. The past is behind us and we are given a fresh start to begin again. God’s grace, through Christ, supplies us with the encouragement, favor, and blessing that we need to rekindle our faith and hopes. The promises of God can be showered upon us and our spirits can be refreshed through Christ’s love in our lives.

So, if you are at the threshold of something new and feel a wee bit hesitant about what lies ahead, take this verse as your prayerful foundation of God’s guidance, support, and blessing. May He be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the Earth.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You fully know what we are currently experiencing. You know our anxieties about new starts and unfamiliar ways. Bless us with the presence of Your Holy Spirit in all of our new endeavors. In Your Holy Name, we faithfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s drawing of Edinburgh castle, Scotland as seen from the fountain in Princes Street gardens. You can view a larger version of the print at the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4824459907_7bfe1993e9_b.jpg