Job 38:25-27 (MSG)
Who do you suppose carves canyons
for the downpours of rain, and charts
the route of thunderstorms
That bring water to unvisited fields,
deserts no one ever lays eyes on,
Drenching the useless wastelands
so they’re carpeted with wildflowers and grass?
Who indeed? God.
“Living Water, freely-flowing,
Fount of gladness, life-bestowing,
Holy Spirit, O draw nigh.”
Unknown author, published 1894
Rain water brings dry land to life.
Living Water brings dry souls to life.
Old Testament prophecy foretells New Testament (and present day) reality:
Ezekiel 36:25-26 (VOICE)
I will sprinkle you with clean water, and you will be clean. I will wash away all of your dirtiness, and you will be clean and pure, free from the taint of idols. I will plant a new heart and new spirit inside of you.
Rain on me, Lord God. Clean me up, wash away my sin. Fill me with a new spirit — with Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.
First the rain, then the fruit.
Psalm 65:9-10 (MSG)
Oh, visit the earth,
ask her to join the dance!
Deck her out in spring showers,
fill the God-River with living water.
Paint the wheat fields golden.
Creation was made for this!
Drench the plowed fields,
soak the dirt clods
With rainfall as harrow and rake
bring her to blossom and fruit.
First the Spirit, then the fruit.
Flood my soul, Holy Spirit. Let me bear fruit for Your kingdom, in Jesus’ name.
“Come, thou Fount of every blessing . . .
streams of mercy, never ceasing.”
Robert Robinson, 1758
The Holy Spirit rains God’s blessings and mercies on us.
If it doesn’t come from God, it isn’t a blessing. 
Where I live, it rained Saturday night. You know what they say: “April showers bring May flowers.” I want spring flowers, so the storm made me happy.
God also sends spiritual rain. It doesn’t bring flowers.
Isaiah 45:8 (NIV)
You heavens above, rain down my righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I, the LORD, have created it.
Spiritual rain brings spiritual blessings.
Pour out Your Spirit, Lord. Flood us with the rain of righteousness and salvation!
God doesn’t always meet us with rushing winds and tongues of fire.
1 Kings 19:11-12 (MSG).
Then he [Elijah] was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.”
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.
“A gentle whisper.” We can have long, quiet conversations with God. 
Read Elijah’s quiet conversation with God in 1 Kings 19:13-18
“Holy Spirt, the life that gives life . . .
You are the fire that warms our hearts;
You are the light that guides our feet.
Let all the world praise you.”
Hildegard of Bingen, (1098-1179)
Usually, wind + fire = disaster. In God’s hands, wind + fire = Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:2-4 (CEB)
Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
We call it Pentecost.
Fire, used properly, is a blessing. We could say it is a gift from God.
“Thou fire so masterful and bright,
that givest man both warmth and light,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”
St. Francis of Assisi, 1225
Paraphrase: William Draper, 1919
I remember this verse from All Creatures of Our God and King when I cozy up to our wood stove on a cold winter’s night.
The fire praises its Maker. Let’s do likewise. 
My little corner of the world just experienced a three-day brush fire. I’m grateful that firefighters, first responders and God’s downpour kept everyone safe.
Set me to thinking about fire’s destructive power. It brings to mind God’s judgment.
1 Corinthians 3:13 (TLB)
There is going to come a time of testing at Christ’s Judgment Day to see what kind of material each builder has used. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire so that all can see whether or not it keeps its value, and what was really accomplished.
What works of my hands, I wonder, will survive God’s fire?
