"WHEN HE UTTERS HIS VOICE."

 THUNDER AND LIGHTNING AND UNPRECEDENTED RAINS IN ISRAEL ON SHAVUOT

"When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth, He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses" (Jeremiah 10:13 and 51:16 ESV).

"Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone!" (Zechariah 10:1).

"Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. A fire goes before Him, and burns up His enemies round about. His lightnings light the world; the earth sees and trembles.Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O LORD. For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods!" (Psalm 97:2-4, 8-9).

We thank and bless those of you who have persevered in "asking the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain" (Zechariah 10:1).
 Last week, saw a great rarity for Shavuot in Israel-the very heavens themselves sharing in celebration of the holiday! It is unusual to have substantial rain in Israel after late April. By mid-May the country has already begun to settle into the five-month dry season during which there is virtually no moisture at all until late October.
 Yet on this Pentecost, truly came the "Latter Rains", extending from northern Israel to deep in the deserts to the south. Haifa experienced severe flooding; in the Jezreel Valley all outdoor holiday events were cancelled; near the Dead Sea, people had to be rescued from the torrents pouring down through the wadis and over the roads. Many places throughout the Land these rains were accompanied by enormous sky-filling lightnings and thunder and high winds. It is unprecedented for the waters of the Sea of Galilee to rise this late in May. (Before now, the latest documented rising came on April 29, 2006.) Yet during the three days surrounding this May 15th, the lake rose two centimeters!

What is God saying with this? Twice in Jeremiah (see above) it is written that such things occur "when He utters His voice". Of course, many will see this as merely poetic phrasing for a natural phenomenon-thunder. Perhaps that is included in the imagery. Yet notice in the three Scripture passages quoted above-He utters His voice; He makes the mist rise; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings forth the wind. The LORD makes flashing clouds; He will give showers of rain. Clouds and darkness surround Him; a fire goes before Him; His lightnings light the world. These things are not mere natural accidents or happenings. They are HIS! Meant to turn our hearts and thoughts and praises towards Him!
  And when they take place in dry and thirsty Israel on one of HIS feast days, it is important that "Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O LORD. For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods!"

It is certainly an encouragement for us. We endured drought for seven years. Then last year there were "former rains" but few "latter" (none at all after early March). Yet this past winter God poured forth the former rains and broke the drought-and now He has given the latter.and on the day celebrating the release of His Spirit, the sea upon which His Son walked has itself risen at the sound of His voice.

AND YET.at the close of one article which broke the good news came this: "At the same time, the Water Authority warned of a severe drought period that Israelis should prepare themselves for during the years 2015-2035" ("Kinneret rises 2 cm. after Shavuot storms": JPOST.com (The Jerusalem Post); May 20, 2013 17:47 IST). WHEN WILL WE LEARN?!! Only a year ago we were warned of "another dry year"-Yet a higher "Authority" willed otherwise. It is this Authority in Whom we trust! The One who "utters His voice" and there is a "tumult of waters in the heavens"!!

PLEASE PRAY:

*Thanksgiving and praise for the faithfulness of Our God, which has released both former and latter rains over His land and His people Israel this year!

*For clarity of discernment in the Body of Messiah in Israel-to understand what He was saying to the Congregations, and to Israel, and to the World when He "Uttered His Voice" last week on Shavuot, when He commanded and the waters were raised higher than ever before at this season!

*For faith in Israel to trust in her God for her 'weather'. For grace not to be influenced towards discouragement by the prognostications of the "Water Authority" with their predictions of 20 years of drought.

*For the prophets to hear and speak forth HIS word. That Word, even when sent forth in warning, will bear also a message of redemption and hope. It is El Elyon-the "Most High God"-who will not only tell His people when to prepare, but "how to" prepare before the coming of a year of drought.

*For a release of the Fear of the Lord and a dependent yearning on His chesed-loving-kindness within Israel. "For the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those who yearn for His loving kindness, to deliver them from death, and to keep them alive in famine" (Psalm 33:18-19).

portions taken from Israel prayer list.