2nd Chronicles 7: 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land or if I send pestilence among my people.
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that’s made in this place.
Water is one of the most precious resources on this planet, and without it, starvation, hunger, thirst and a multitude of other adverse conditions will become more numerous. Water is used in agriculture, in the oil industry for fracking, for baking, for irrigation, for the production of almost everything that is made by man. It almost always goes back to water.
Believe it or not, with all of our advances in sciences and with all of the increase in knowledge and know-how that was predicted in Daniel chapter 12, all of us and every nation on the earth are still dependent on the God of heaven for all the basic necessities of life. At times, persons might not acknowledge the fact, but is nonetheless true.
The sunlight, which produces energy, and causes a seed to germinate and grow, the rain which we are in need of for virtually everything, the air which we breathe, and the snow which replenishes the many reservoirs across the globe, as well providing the resources for hydro-electricity, all come from God.
Thus, an acknowledgement of our total dependence on God for everything that pertains to life and well- being, form the basis for many passages in the Bible which treat on the issues. Even though some have traded Christ for Darwin, yet, when the basics are taken into consideration, we’ll discover that people still need The Lord.
The tendency to leave God out of the picture, as if we are self-sufficient and autonomous, is a theory, and philosophy that is Darwinian in concept, and now, because of the extreme drought conditions we are facing in the western states, the time has fully come for us to consider very carefully, where our safety, security, and assurance is to be centered.
The situation in the western United States is dire indeed, for, not only has rain been diminished to a great extent, the annual snow-packs which supply the reservoirs and dams, are nowhere close to the levels needed for agriculture, and residential use, and as a result, we would discover that a diversion of water resources is already underway, to make up for the shortfall.
Several farms in California have been forced to shut down permanently, and the rationing of water for residents and businesses, is taking a fearful toll, of which the ripple effects are already being felt across the nation in the form of increased food prices. This is on top of the inflationary pressures produced by the war in Ukraine.
In fact, many individuals and families are now facing the very real prospect of turning on their taps, and having no running water. Not only has the rain and snow been reduced significantly, the underground water from wells and aquifers is also being reduced to scary levels, in so much that some residents have to get water to bathe and cook from other towns.
As a result of the lack of water to replenish the likes of Lake mead and Lake Powell, hydro-electric plants have been forced to curtail production, with more pain to come, if much rain water, and snow do not come in short order. Lake Mead in particular, is now at its lowest point since it was filled in the 1930’s, and Lake Powell is at only 34% of its capacity.
There is no doubt that a water fight is brewing on the horizon as water resources are being severely depleted, with very little, or no replenishing of the reservoirs, dams and lakes that have served millions of people for decades. As a result, the diversion of water resources can already be observed in grocery stores, and it could accelerate greatly if the needed rain and snow isn’t supplied.
Not one of us can live without water, from the man on the street, to the president to Elon Musk and the famous Warren Buffet, all of us are dependent on God for water. Therefore, our first passage brings into focus what can happen, “If The Lord Shuts Up heaven”.
Thus, we need to first establish from the scriptures the fact that even though many fail to acknowledge it, we are dependent on God for everything that pertains to life and sustenance in every way and in everything that we do, because it seems as if we are in need of a wakeup call, lest we forget. Let’s read:
Matthew 5: 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Psalms 104: 10 He sends the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
13 He waters the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth
food out of the earth.
27 These wait all upon thee; that thou may give them their food in due season.
28 What You give them they gather: You open thine hand, they are filled with good.
29 You hide Your face, they are troubled….
These passages clearly reveal the sacred truth in the matter, that with all of our so-called independence, every person, without exception is a beneficiary of God’s mercies, wisdom and providence and without which society would unravel and come to nothing in short order.
Hence the reason why the study for this evening will be pertinent to our deepening, and ongoing needs.
“If I Shut Up Heaven”
In the days of king Ahab and queen Jezebel, there was a fearful departure from truth to idolatry of the darkest hue, by which the children of Israel were being taught erroneous views and teachings as it pertains to the necessary blessings of life.
Baal was looked up to, and worshipped as the sole provider of rain, and the people were led by Jezebel to reject God as both Creator, and sustainer of life on earth, and as a direct result, Baal got the credit and praise for what God was actually doing.
Thus, after repeated attempts over many years, to get them to turn from their errors, God had to give them a reality check, so as to save them from going completely over the cliff. The famine which ensued, with all of its adverse consequences, was actually tempered with mercy, but as with all such instances the collateral damage would take a toll on Israel. Let’s read:
1st Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 7 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
The servant of The Lord, in her exposition on this matter gives us a glimpse of what was taking place across the land at this time, and it would be well if we could put ourselves in their shoes, because the similarities are a stark reminder of what is currently taking place in our day.
Now it is true that many adversities suffered by the multitudes are really inflicted by the enemy of souls but there are instances when God has had to take matters into His own hands, so as to save many of us from ruin. Like ourselves, Israel would not listen to God’s oft entreaties, and therefore, He is moved to do what He much prefers not to do.
Thus, as we read, let us consider what is now taking place in western states, for there are parallels and similarities that should move us as a country to now consider our ways. Darwin cannot save us, neither can his philosophies deliver the much-needed rain and the snow-packs that have dwindled in the west. Let’s read:
[Prophets & Kings pp 124] A year passes, and yet there is no rain. The earth is parched as if with fire. The scorching heat of the sun destroys what little vegetation has survived. Streams dry up, and lowing herds and bleating flocks wander hither and thither in distress.
Once-flourishing fields have become like burning desert sands, a desolate waste. The groves dedicated to idol worship are leafless; the forest trees, gaunt skeletons of nature, afford no shade.
The air is dry and suffocating; dust storms blind the eyes and nearly stop the breath. Once-prosperous cities and villages have become places of mourning. Hunger and thirst are telling upon man and beast with fearful mortality. Famine, with all its horror, comes closer and still closer.
1st Kings 18:1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
2 And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answers by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleeps, and must be awakened.
28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.
6 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.
41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there arises a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.
45 And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain….
Now, it is true that in our day, we have contributed to global warming and the dire results before us are to a great extent the natural law of cause and effect of sowing and reaping that are now coming due.
However, that does not stop God from sending rain, so, can it be that there may be other factors at play, why the extremes in temperature, and the resulting drought continues to worsen and deepen across the globe with the passage of time?
So, at this point before we proceed, there is a Bible verse that we must take a look at, because there is nothing new under the sun, and what has taken place in times past often repeats itself. Let’s read:
Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
What is even more disturbing, and should sound an alarm bell in many minds, is the passage that comes just before. It could not be a coincidence, since the severe drought and a lack of rain in Elijah’s day, was directly tied to the issue of persons disregarding the commandments of God. Let’s read:
Malachi 4: 4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
1st Kings 18:17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubles Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baal.
Isaiah 24:3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word.
4 The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.
Now, we are not saying that our fellow citizens who live in western states are any different than those in eastern states, nor are we stating that the extremes of drought across the globe are the result of sins in persons who live in those areas.
What we are now to consider is whether or not the problem is global warming, or global sinning, which might be producing collateral damage, in different parts of the earth. In the days of Elijah, the famine was a call to repentance, and thus, we must, at the very least, consider whether a call to repentance in our day has come due.
What we do know for certain, that whatever might be the underlying causes, we can never go wrong with following the counsel given in our first passage because it calls on individuals and nations to seek The Lord, in the face of national or international adversity.
Earnest prayer is to be made nationally, not only for deliverance, but for deep soul-searching, to see if by any means we have forgotten the God of heaven, or followed Baal. If and when the laws of God are not obeyed, the natural consequences are not reversed if there isn’t an acknowledgement that wrongs were committed.
In the days of Elijah, the people were brought to the point where they saw their error clearly, and they responded in the positive by confessing the sin that had done them in. In our day, it would be well if we will do the same, wherever such confession may be warranted because the prophet Isaiah does say that the continued transgression of God’s law is the root of the problems we are now facing. Let’s read:
Isaiah 24:5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
The time has now fully come for prayer to be lifted up on a personal and a national level, because the drought situation can get pretty bad, if there is not an intervention from heaven, and everyone will feel the dire effects, one way or another.
The current patchwork of electric vehicles, coupled with renewable energies is never going to save the planet, and if urgent prayer is not made, unforeseen problems will continue to pile up, one on top of the other, with no viable resolution in sight.
Just a few years ago, oil seemed to be on its way out, as the prospect of a green new deal seemed to be a viable option. But no one catered for Putin in Ukraine, by which there is now a mad rush for oil once more, as global demand tightens the squeeze on already strained nations.
Thus, an urgent call for prayer is now in order, with confession of sins, and an acknowledgement of the only true God, if haply, there might be a reversal of fortunes, before it is too late. We will end with our first passage, and it is our hope that those who have ears to hear, will listen, and act accordingly. Let’s read:
2nd Chronicles 7: 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land or if I send pestilence among my people.
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears will listen unto the prayer that is made in this place.
God Bless!