Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

We have all been watching and waiting for El Niño.  The weather man has been predicting heavy rain all winter, but we have not seen much in Southern California.

Our drought has been the topic of conversation for months.  The Governor of California and our state legislature has mandated 25% reduction in water consumption.

Everyone is looking for ways to conserve water.  We see signs posted in the medians of our roads and grass has been replaced by wood chips.   Even my local gym is asking members to reduce water usage.  I guess that means less exercise and fewer showers!

I was reading a passage in the Bible recently that specifically mentioned a drought.  The Prophet Jeremiah told the people of Israel 2500 years ago that God had withheld rain because they had turned away from following Him. (Jeremiah 14:1-10)

Jeremiah said that water wells were empty, farmers were dismayed, the soil was cracked and the wild animals could not find water for their young.  It was a grim scene in a land that was dependent on rain to survive.

At another time, an Old Testament Prophet named Elijah predicted that it would not rain in Israel for three years.  It got the attention of the people.  Even the King’s servants had trouble finding water (I Kings 17 & 18).

Why does a drought get our attention? I suppose it reminds us how dependent we are on the weather.  We are just as dependent on rain and snow today as people were in ancient times.

A drought also reminds us that this planet we live on is fragile and delicate.  It has a remarkable system where rain falls from the sky, drains back to the oceans and is recycled back into rain and snow again.  Rain enables crops to grow, fruit to flourish, and provides water for us to use and drink.

The Apostle Paul said, “God has shown His kindness by giving us rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides us with plenty of food and fills our hearts with joy”(Acts 14:17).  In Acts 17:27, Paul said, “He did this so that men would seek Him and find Him.”

In spite of all of our scientific knowledge and technological advances, we are still dependent on rain, snow and water.  Without these basic things that God provides, life as we know it would cease to exist.

I wonder if God is trying to get our attention.  I wonder if we are so busy and distracted that we have failed to acknowledge the existence of God and our need of Him.  I wonder if He is saying, “May I have your attention please?”

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd.  Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.  For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit Efreedb.org.