Psalm 65

At this moment, I’m listening to the soothing sound of gentle rain pattering outside my window. It’s a sound that I enjoy and also rather apt as I write the post on Psalm 65. Let’s take a look at it first.

Bible Passage:  Psalm 65

It may not be raining where and when you read this post but take a few seconds; close your eyes and imagine the sound and smell of rain surrounding you. Invigorating, isn’t it? It is no wonder the psalmist, in praising the creation of God, ends his psalm by celebrating the wonder of rainfall.

However, while the physical rain that waters the crops and fills the rivers, seas as well as oceans is indeed a great blessing from God, the spiritual rain He pours upon those who seek Him is an even greater blessing.

This spiritual rain is the Holy Spirit that He promised will be poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28) and coincidentally, some of His works are mentioned in the psalm.

Cleansing

Iniquities prevail against me;
As for our transgressions,
You will provide atonement for them. (2)

The HOLY Spirit naturally works to make man holy. Like a fire, the Holy Spirit burns away the impurities in our hearts and refines us to be like fine gold. He also makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered so that we can be forgiven and justified. Like the forest after a downpour, our hearts are cleansed by the Holy Spirit if we allow Him to fill our hearts.

Peaceful

You who still the noise of the seas,
The noise of their waves,
And the tumult of the peoples. (7)

Besides cleansing, the Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of peace since He is the spirit of God, who is the God of peace. He enables us to navigate the ocean of life with calmness and peace despite encountering large waves and heavy storms sometimes. With the Spirit of peace dwelling in us, we have a calm assurance that we will reach our destination safely.

Life-giving

You visit the earth and water it,
You greatly enrich it;
The river of God is full of water;
You provide their grain,
For so You have prepared it. (9)

Above all, the Holy Spirit gives us life like the rain brings life to the earth. He nourishes the ground of our hearts with peace, joy and every good thing, allowing us to bear fruit unto eternal life. He is not stingy in these blessings but instead gives abundantly such that the hills rejoice on every side, the pastures are covered with flocks and the valleys are also covered with grain. Such is the all encompassing and abundant life God bestows upon us through the Holy Spirit.

So, next time it starts raining, take a moment and thank God for His wonderful and abundant grace. J