‘He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, like showers that water the earth.’ (Ps 72:6)

God has been speaking to me about rain over the last few weeks. I believe He is calling us to look expectantly to Him, to observe where He is at work, and to position for what He is doing. 

Observe the ‘Front’ where God is at Work

Recently, my husband Malcolm and I were walking along a beach, enjoying the last of the evening sun. Suddenly, we noticed that the sun was about to descend behind a curtain of thick black cloud. It was a front of heavy rain, heading our way.

Sure enough, within 2 hours, there was a downpour.

Change is in the Air: The Rain is Coming

A weather front is the boundary line between two distinctly different atmospheric conditions. It could be described as a ‘change zone.’ And I believe this speaks to us today of a shift taking place in the spiritual atmosphere over our lives, churches, communities, nations—and even globally.

As prophetic people, we can be ‘front-watchers.’ Let’s be like ‘the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.’ (1 Chron 12:32)

What is the Prophetic Meaning of Rain?

The Holy Spirit and Rain

For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring  (Isaiah 44:3)

Rain is one of many symbols in the Bible used to describe the Holy Spirit. By its nature, released from the skies above, rain speaks of the Holy Spirit outpoured from heaven. God’s purposes for this include:

• Refreshment (Ps 68:7-9, Acts 3:19)
• Empowerment (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:17-18)
• Restoration (Joel 2:23-25, Hosea 6:2-3)
• A Harvest of souls won to faith in God (Isaiah 44:3-5)

Rain and the Season of Harvest

In the Biblical context, rain was related to seasons and to crops. There is mention of the early (autumn) rains, and the latter (spring) rains. The spring rains brought the fullness of the harvest.

‘Latter rains’ refer to a great outpouring of the Spirit—one that will result in an End Time harvest of people to God’s Kingdom. (Acts 2:16-17, James 5:7)

Regardless of opinions about timing, this IS the ‘End Times’ for the generations alive on the earth today. Billions will never have another opportunity to hear the Gospel and respond to God—and we will never have another opportunity to share it with them.

But the Lord of the Harvest has a plan (Luke 10:2), and the rain clouds are forming.

Rain Reminds us of God’s Sovereignty

There is nothing humanity can do to create rain. Recently we had many years of drought in our State of Victoria, Australia. This resulted in expensive projects to draw from alternative water sources—including a desalination plant constructed to utilise seawater. And then, it started to rain again. And rain. Our water storage levels, down to 33% a few years ago, are now at 81%.

Likewise, it is not human effort that is going to bring a change in the spiritual atmosphere and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. That is why we call it a ‘move of God.’

Religious performance says that we need to do the ‘rain dance.’ The idea is, that if we do the right steps for long enough, God will send the rain. But it is not about works; it is all about His grace and timing.

The balance of this is that God does require our cooperation with His Spirit to fully enter into and receive His purposes. For example, the Holy Spirit may lead us into prayer (Zech 10:1) or repentance. (Hosea 6:1, Hosea 10:12, Acts 3:19)

Repentance is not only the breaking up of hardness of heart and repentance from sin. Repentance also involves fully embracing and entering into who we are in Christ.

Before Rain Comes Turbulence

There is often turmoil and unstable weather around a weather front, where two air masses of different temperatures and densities converge.

We can expect that a shift in the spiritual atmosphere will result in some turbulence.

• The move of God does not come the way some expect
• What God is doing does not necessarily fit with human priorities, vision and values
• There may be immaturity in some of those who embrace and participate in what God is doing
• Opposition or misunderstandings arise

 At this stage, we have a choice—allow the turbulence to put us off, or to look beyond this to Father’s intended purpose. As we embrace what is of God, and persevere through the trials, we are positioned to receive what He has promised.

Anticipate Your Father’s Generosity as You Seek for Rain

God loves to visit His children with seasons of visitation.

So, let’s check our hearts, that we are not seeking the moving of God’s Spirit out of a sense of poverty, or as spiritual orphans, deprived of the Father’s Presence.

• We are sons and daughters, and we can joyfully anticipate our Father’s generosity.

The rain is coming. It is time to stop focusing on our needs on the ground, and to lift our faces to the ‘front’ where the Holy Spirit is moving.

For at this time, God is moving personally, locally and globally—and we can bless and rejoice in it and the anticipation of what is to come.

Related Posts:

What is the Prophetic Meaning of New Wine?

This Can Be A Year of Visitation from God

Prophetic Dream: It’s Time to be Immersed in the Spirit

© Helen Calder: Enliven Ministries

In the David McCracken Ministries Family

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.