Ezekiel 34:25-26 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land… This blessed promise may be claimed by — I. THE BELIEVER. 1. In the joy of the morning. "Songs in the night," but blessings for the morning. A blessing is added strength. 2. In the heat of the noonday. As a reminder of Providence, and a remembrancer of the God who promised that the "sun shall not smite thee by day," these cooling showers shall come. 3. In the weary evening. Do doubts assail, do fears annoy? Do sorrows gather, do tempests rise? There shall be showers of blessing, and "dewy eve" will be a time of surcease from grief and labour, turmoil and care, and He will give "His beloved sleep." 4. In the desolate night. After all friends have gone, after even friendly twilight has withdrawn herself, in that "dark and lonely hour," they shall fall upon him to season his meditations or perchance to lull to repose his wearied and inflamed orbs. 5. Ever, there shall be showers of blessing for the believer. II. THE BACKSLIDER. 1. In the hour of thoughtfulness. When he considers his relations to God, and how strained they are. 2. In the hour of remembrance. The blessed "Remembrancer," the good Spirit of Truth, will bring forsaken joys, discarded delights, and vanished experiences to his memory. 3. In the hour of penitence. Is it not recorded that "God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble"? and humility is twin sister to penitence. 4. In the hour of return. When the prodigal son returned, the tears which bedewed the cheeks of reconciled father and repentant son were indeed showers of blessing. III. THE SINNER. Blessed showers will come when — 1. He feels his need. 2. Loathes himself. 3. Cries to God. 4. Trusts in the Saviour. (J. B. Esenwein.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. |