Author: Kevin Corbin

  • Showers of blessing

    It rained some yesterday, and more rain is forecast. That’s to be expected this time of year in the Lower Mainland. Today’s image is a leaf I captured after another recent shower.

    Rain can certainly put a damper on things (pun intended). The shorter hours of sunlight can cause my SAD (seasonal affective disorder) to flare up some, and rain makes most outdoor tasks a little more challenging and uncomfortable.

    Still, as I must remind myself, we do need the rain. Water tables are very low, and that’s making it difficult for salmon to spawn. It’s been dry, so there were fewer berries for the bears and other critters to fatten up with for winter.

    PROMISED BLESSINGS

    The thoughts on rain showers took my mind back to a passage I read recently in Ezekiel.

    “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.  And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will provide for them a renowned place for planting so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.” Ezekiel 34:25-31 ESV

    Now that’s a specific promise made in a given context to the people of Israel. Still, it shows His heart towards those He loves.

    Our Almighty, Loving God wants to “send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.”  Think about that for a moment.

    God wants to bless you. It doesn’t mean you won’t face hard times or challenges. It does mean that whatever you face, God has blessings in store for you as a believer.

    Take some time today to reflect on the blessings God has already given you, and give Him thanks. Know there are more to come.

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    Rainy days reminded me of God’s promise in Ezekiel 34 to send showers of blessing in their season. Whatever we face, God has blessings in store for us as believers.

    TAKEAWAY

    God’s promise in Ezekiel 34 was made to Israel in a specific context, but it shows His heart towards those He loves, and that includes you.

    God wanting to bless you doesn’t mean you won’t face hard times or challenges; it means that whatever you face, He has blessings in store for you as a believer.

    Take time today to reflect on the blessings God has already given you, thank Him for them, and know more are coming.

    CHECK THESE POSTS OUT

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  • Daniel Boone and the God Who Seeks the Lost

    One of my heroes growing up was American frontiersman Daniel Boone. That was no doubt influenced by a large degree of watching him on television and in films as a child. I can still hear the theme song

    “Daniel Boone was a man. Yes a big man.

    With an eye like an eagle and as tall as a mountain was he.

    Daniel Boone was a man. Yes a big man.

    He was brave, he was fearless and as tough as a mighty oak tree.

    The show was far from historically accurate but made for great stories. His real-life adventures made the TV show pale in comparison. “I’ve never been lost, but I was bewildered for three days once.” 

    Even Daniel Boone hated to admit to being lost. He’s not alone, but humanity has been lost in a sense since the Garden of Eden.

    After eating the forbidden fruit. Adam and Eve clothed themselves and hid from God.

    But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 ESV

    God didn’t need to ask. He knew exactly where they were, but He came looking to draw them out. The theme of God seeking His people runs through the rest of the Bible.

    Jesus is explicit about it.

    For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost Luke 19:10 ESV

    From the very first sin, God has been calling out to people, offering them redemption, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. That’s God’s love and the beauty of the gospel.

    He sent Jesus to call us and to die on our behalf. He has given us His Word, and His Spirit is always calling us. Don’t ignore the call

    If you are already His, thank Him for finding you when you didn’t even know you were lost. If you haven’t answered the call yet, run to Him and be set free.

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    We have all been lost since Adam and Eve hid from God in the Garden. God has been seeking us ever since, and He sent Jesus to seek and to save the lost.

    TAKEAWAY

    God already knows where you are; He asks, “Where are you?” to draw you out.

    Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, and His Spirit is still calling you.

    If you’re His, thank Him for finding you; if not, don’t ignore the call. Run to Him.

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    Lost? Everyone knows the way even if they deny it.

    Hide and seek with God