HE SHALL COME UNTO US AS THE RAIN.

 

MAY 4.
He shall come unto us as the rain.
Hosea 6:3

 

THE Lord’s care of his people is incessant.
 
No parent was ever so careful as an only child.
No gardner was ever so attentive
  to a delicate and favorite plant.
 
He visits, he watches, he supplies.
He studies our wants, provides for them,
  and imparts what he provides.
 
He says, “I will water in every moment.”
 
Then the supply will be constant,
  in summer and winter shall it be.
 
It will be suitable, like refreshing moisture
   to a thirsty plant.
It will be in small portions,
   as the gently falling rain.
It will be in perceptible,
   like the morning dews.
It is by these supplies

 that our graces are kept alive.
That our spiritual desires are sustained.
That apostasy is prevented.
That the good work is carried on in our hearts.
 
If the Lord should cease to water,
  we soon should wither and die.
 
Our dependence on him is absolute.
Our obligation to his love are infinite.
 
Let us not fancy that we are not watered,
  because we do not sensibly feel it.
The consistency of the communication prevents
  anything like novelty.
The gentle gradual manner in which we are supplied,
  prevents our feeling any powerful impressions.
 

Each moment water’d by thy care,

And fenc’d with power divine,

Fruit to eternel life shall bear,

The feeblest branch is thine.

 
James Smith 1849