We all know of rain as a natural occurrence. But did you know it has spiritual significance?
It’s not about the scientific reasoning behind its occurrence. It’s about being a metaphor for God’s purpose in our lives.
Biblically, there are many teachings that God uses, but there are various spiritual significance and revelation of rain.
This article will look at the seven teachings of rain in the bible. May your heart be opened to receive this spiritual significance.
What Does Rain Mean In The Bible?
Rain has numerous meanings in the bible. In the scriptures, rain appears over 100 times.
It symbolizes God as a source of spiritual and physical life. Also, it means:
- God is our provider:
God provides for all creatures on earth. He’s the provider of refreshments and sustenance during difficult times.
“The Lord is Gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”
Psalms 145:8
- Judgment and destruction:
Flooding rain is also associated with judgment and destruction. The flood stated in Genesis 7-8 was God’s wrath against sin.
He sent rain forty days and 40 nights, and the water filled the entire dry land up to the mountaintop. So, as much as rain symbolizes God’s blessings, it’s destructive if sent by the Holy One.
I believe you will also enjoy learning about what a rainbow means in the Bible.
What Does Rain Symbolize In The Bible?
Biblically, rain symbolizes many things, from a blessing to a punishment. So, God is definitely sending you a message when it rains.
God’s blessings:
“Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.”
Psalms 147:7-8
In this verse, the rain symbolizes God’s blessings, including showers of blessing, good luck, abundant rain, and the power of God on His people.
Punishment:
As much as rain symbolizes God’s blessings, it also represents a bad scene.
“And the rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.”
Genesis 7:12
After raining for forty days and nights, severe floods wiped out almost all humanity. So, in this perspective, it symbolizes hard times, dry ground, late rain, and end times.
Judgement:
The Bible also uses rain as a symbol of judgment. As much as it is associated with refreshing judgment, it can be a destruction.
As mentioned earlier, after it had been raining for forty days and nights, there was heavy rainfall.
Earth was filled with water that covered even the mountain tops. All creatures died except the one in Noah’s Ark.
Spiritual Meaning Of Rain In The Bible
Biblically, rain symbolizes God’s blessing to humans. In the same way, rain nourishes the earth spiritually; it is a sign of abundant blessings and a metaphor for God’s word.
Rain is also associated in the bible with abundance and fertility. It shows how God provides for his people.
Deuteronomy 11:14 says:
“I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain, your wine, and your oil.”
Deuteronomy 11:14
Spiritually, rain is associated with reviving the thirsty soul. Just like the rain quenches the thirst of dry land, it symbolizes spiritual refreshment. It shows that God’s presence brings refreshment to our spiritual life.
Isaiah 44:3 says:
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”
Isaiah 44:3
Rain is spiritually viewed as God’s guidance. It symbolizes his desire to guide us as we walk on his path.
1 Kings 18:41 says:
“And Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.’”
1 Kings 18:41
God is directing Elijah and Ahab to eat and drink because He can hear the sound of heavy rain. They only had to obey him.
Also, take a look at the spiritual meaning of the rainbow around the sun.
What Does It Mean When God Sends Rain? 7 Messages
Are you still wondering what it means when God sends rain? There’s no need to wonder anymore. Here are 7 messages that the Lord is trying to convey to you.
1) A Blessing
As earlier mentioned, when God sends rain, it comes as a blessing of God to his people (Genesis 2:5). It’s during this period that we prepare lands to cultivate again.
During the rainy season, it’s when humans and animals get food in plenty. In simple terms, through rain, we get all provisions.
All these are God’s blessings and his grace to us humans. So, the rains are a blessing, and when God sends rain, it comes as a blessing.
2) Divine Grace
Rain is also a symbol of divine encounter. It reminds us of God’s closeness and favors in our lives. Rain is also associated with the manifestation of God’s presence.
“Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.’”
Zechariah 10:1
In this verse, rain symbolizes God’s presence.
In the same way, rain is life-giving and brings about sustenance; the presence of God brings about spiritual growth, blessings, and provisions.
3) Renewal and Restoration
Rain also comes as a sign of renewal and restoration.
Only the creatures in Noah’s Ark survived after the heavy floods covered the whole earth. When Noah’s ark landed, he sent a dove to check out if there was a dry land.
And after searching, the dove went back with an olive branch. They knew they were going to start a new life.
They first worshiped God and started planting a vineyard so that they could make new wine. So, the rain is also a symbol of renewal, restoration, and revival.
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”
Isaiah 44:3
4) Abundance
Rain is also a symbol of abundance and God’s blessing.
2 Corinthians 9:8 talks about God’s abundant blessings and provisions to his followers. This is parallel to the symbolic meaning of abundant rain in Genesis 7:7-11.
Rain was a sign of God’s blessing in the past. This was also a symbol of God’s blessing in the future. And it will remain God’s blessing in the future.
Rain pours on both righteous and unrighteous people, as mentioned in Mathew 5:45.
Sometimes, we dig our farms ready for planting season, but because of weather changes, nothing works out. Finding comfort can be difficult, considering the challenges that come with life.
But when you look up, there is always that blessing. And if it rains on you, God’s interested in what you are doing.
5) Life-giving
Genesis 2:5-7, on the seventh day, after finishing His creation, God made it rain on earth. This was God’s blessing, protection, grace, and provision to all creatures.
Now, without rain, no crops will grow. Meaning all living creatures will not have food as they depend on each other for survival. You have to eat to sustain your life.
As mentioned earlier, God is the creator, provider, and protector. He is the source of life.
Just like God is life-giving, the rains also play a major part as a source of life.
And yes, water is life; without water, nothing is left on earth.
With too much water again, nothing will be left on earth just like the heavy floods that swept everything away apart from creatures on Noah’s ark.
6) Purification
Rain is also linked with purification. As you have seen in different religions, water is used for cleansing purposes. People get baptized using water.
Now, rain washes away dirt and cleanses it.
“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.”
Ezekiel 36:25
When the earth was filled with sins, God sent floods to clear everything on earth for 40 days and nights.
You can relate this to the Christian concept of spiritual purification through Christ’s sacrifice. It represents God’s work of purifying and washing away your sins.
7) Spiritual Growth
Biblically, rain is associated with spiritual growth.
As earlier mentioned, water is essential for plants and animals to survive. So, you need rain for your plants to flourish.
This is exactly what God’s presence in our lives is all about. His presence and blessings are necessary for spiritual growth and development. It will help us flourish spiritually.
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.”
James 5:7
Also, if you enjoy learning more about the bible, read the spiritual meaning of the Bible verse “I Am That I Am“.
Does Rain Have A Good Meaning In The Bible?
Rain has a good meaning in the bible. The spiritual meaning discussed above gives a glimpse of all positive and negative meanings.
“Then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.”
Leviticus 26:4
Generally, rain symbolizes blessings of God after a drought period. It’s also a symbol of God’s love and grace.
There are times when rain is used to symbolize punishment, just like in the story of Noah. Apart from that instance, rain has good meaning.
Final Words
Rain in the bible represents God’s love, grace, provision, and transformation. It’s a metaphor for God’s desire to nourish and help humans to richness, fertility, and spiritual nourishment.
God provides for us in all aspects of our lives. He provides us with physical and spiritual rain.
So, whatever you do, you should be thankful and strengthen your trust in God. Also, embrace the biblical and spiritual lessons of rain.