Message Summary: It takes both rain and sunshine to grow that which sustains us physically here on our earthly journey. Likewise it takes both joyous and sorrowful experiences to grow us spiritually in our Christian journey. Through the ups and downs, the rain and the sunshine,  God is the Redeemer of the rain.

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"The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made" (Psalm 145:17). "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

This week we are using songs we heard at a Collingsworth Family concert on Sunday afternoon which have prompted our message themes and brief studies into God's Word. One of the reasons we enjoy the Collingsworth Family, in addition to their outstanding harmony and the Biblical content of their songs, is the way they weave everyday experiences into their musical presentation.

Phil Collingsworth, the father, shared a story that was very personal to him concerning a friend who died of a heart attack at 37 years of age, leaving a wife and 4 young children. He recalled the brokenness of those at the funeral service and more specifically seeing the tears of the young widow and her children. That was over 10 years ago and now one of those children is Phil and Kim Collingsworth's daughter-in-law Sharlenae. She sang lead vocals in the song, "Redeemer Of The Rain". She could best sing it because she had lived it through the loss of her father at a very tender age.


Today's first daily text expresses a timeless truth concerning God: "The LORD is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made" (Psalm 145:17). The greatest testing of our faith comes during intense or prolonged trials when we find ourselves questioning God's providence. At one time or another we've all stated, "When it rains it pours". Some of our readers have had deep and difficult experiences in this regard. I can think of many who have experienced very severe heartache yet hold on to their faith and indeed experienced the truth that Jesus is the redeemer of the rain.

For many of us Romans 8:28 is one of the first verses we put to memory and for good reason. It has brought about deep assurance to many. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Bible teacher William Newell writes, "Now we find in Romans 8:28 a great marvel: all things work together for good to these believing lovers of God. This involves God’s providence, His control of the most infinitesimal things to bring them about for 'good' to God’s saints."

It takes both rain and sunshine to grow that which sustains us physically here on our earthly journey. Likewise it takes both joyous and sorrowful experiences to grow us spiritually in our Christian journey. Through the ups and downs, the rain and the sunshine, God is the Redeemer of the rain.



Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, nothing that You bring our way is by accident nor is it intended to hurt us. You use all things for our good, even the heartbreaking experiences that threaten to break us. But instead of breaking into pieces or falling down in despair we drop to our knees and cry out to You, Father, You never waste our pain but You bring beauty out of our brokenness and loss. You replace it with eternal hope and spiritual gain. When we pray about troubles that weigh us down we know that some of which we've prayed will be answered as we have asked, but other matters don't always get answered according to that which we've prayed. Above all, we pray for a redemptive work of Your Holy Spirit to bring about positive change, both for those we lift up in prayer and for ourselves as we look to You, Redeemer of the rain. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

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"Redeemer Of The Rain"  Video  The Collingsworth Family

"I Can Trust Jesus"  Video  The Collingsworth Family

"If He Hung The Moon"  Video  The Collingsworth Family