21/07/2026
TIT Morning Devotion
3.7.2026
Topic: Rain
Preacher: Saya Sui Lian Thang
The season that we are in now is the rainy season. So, I would like to deliver a message by putting a topic 'rain.' Let's hear the word of God:
Leviticus 26:3-4 (NIV)
"If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commandments, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit."
Genesis 7:4 (NIV)
"Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made."
May God bless the Scripture reading.
The use of rain in the Bible
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The Bible mentions about rain. So, I would like to start the message with the use of rain in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. The Bible uses different words for rain. That means the Hebrews have different words for rain. There are at least 7 kinds of rain used in the Old Testament. Due to time limitation, I will not mention and explain those Hebrew words.
The functions of rain in the Bible
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The word rain is used about 70 times in the Hebrew Bible. From the usage, the functions of rain in the Bible can be seen in two distinct ways:
(1) Rain serves as a symbol of Gods provision and blessing (Lev. 26:3-4)
(2) Rain serves as a symbol of Gods judgment or punishment (Gen. 7:4)
In short, rain functions as blessing and punishment.
In our society
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In our society, when the sun is shining, we say the weather is fine or good. But, when it is raining, we say the weather is bad or terrible. This shows that our concept of rain is negative. So, normally, rain is not seen as good. But, in reality, rain is not necessarily bad. It also brings us good things. No rain, no food.
In our real-life situation
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In our life, we often face problems, difficulties and failures even though we dont welcome them. When we face problems and difficulties, we feel sad because we can't accept problems and difficulties as our good. In that situation, we are morally down. As a result, we blame ourselves or others. Sometimes, we even blame God questioning that why God causes these things to me even though I often pray to God not to happen these kinds of things.
In fact, problems and difficulties can be for our good. Can you accept it? Just as rain that we regard as a bad weather can bring us good things, problems and difficulties also can bring us good things in our lives.
With regard to this, I would like to share about one person who has problems and difficulties in his life. His name is Nick Vuijicic, a man who was born with no limbs (no arms and legs).
Nick Vuijicic
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Nick was an Australian-American man. He is 43 years old now. Today, he is an outstanding motivational speaker and Christian Evangelist around the world. Today he is a successful person. But the life he had gone through was not easy. As I have mentioned, he was born with no limbs. Fortunately, he has two small feet and one of his feet has two toes. By using his little toes, he can write, play, swim and manage himself.
During his boyhood, especially in school, due to his disability, he used to get bullied. Because of that he even thought about committing su***de twice. But, because of his parents love, support and encouragement he couldn't do such an unwise thing.
Besides his parents teachings and encouragements, he also got strength from the Bible, especially from John chapter 9. John chapter 9 is about the healing of a blind man. In this passage, the disciples questioned Jesus for the reason behind the man's blindness. Jesus replied them by saying that the man was born blind so that the works of God would be revealed through him. This Scripture portion changed Nicks life. Nick believed that if God had a plan for the blind man, he would surely have a plan for him as well. So, he decided to share his life story and inspire others.
Now, he has become a successful motivational speaker. He has travelled around 80 countries to have special talks. He has written 6 books. So, he is no more a disabled person now. He is above ordinary people now.
Application
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What I would like to point out from Nicks life is that his life is full of cloudy and gloomy. His life is full of rain and flood. When Nick thought the rain in his life as a bad weather or destructive, he tried to commit su***de. But when he thought the rain in his life as a good weather or Gods purpose, his life is motivated and developed to do a great mission. As a result, he becomes a successful and great person.
Dear friends and students, as long as the earth goes round, there will be a sunny day and a rainy day. Crops and plants, and all creatures need both sunlight and rain to grow fruitfully. Likewise, in our life, there will be a time of happiness and sadness, a time of success and failure. Both are important for our growth and maturity in life. So, do not be morally down or discouraged because of your problem and failure. Rather, make use of your problem and failure for your growth and strength.
I would like to end the message with Romans 8:28. It says: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
May God bless us through the message. Amen.