“And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands.”
(Haggai 1:11)
This declaration of God spoken through the prophet Haggai reminds us of His absolute dominion over all. The drought mentioned here does not occur by chance, nor even by natural causes alone, but by divine command.
The heavens are shut at His voice, the earth is restrained at His will, and the fruit of man’s labor is withheld by His decree. Rain does not fall without Him. Clouds do not gather on their own. The sun does not scorch, nor the earth dry up, except God appoints it. All creation is under His command, and every element of nature serves His purpose.
This affirms that the same almighty God who fills the earth with abundance can in a moment turn fullness into scarcity. He can make the heavens as brass and the earth as iron. He can dry up springs, withhold increase, and frustrate all human effort. And no effort of man can reverse what He ordains.[1]
Yet His power is purposeful. Such judgments are not random acts, but righteous dealings. When God calls for drought, He speaks as a Judge, correcting a people, awakening conscience, and exposing sin. He effects the outward situation in order to reach the inward condition. He withholds temporal mercies in order to call the soul to seek spiritual ones.
Because prosperity often hardens man toward God, while adversity awakens. When abundance is abused, He may choose to remove it. When men trust in their labor, He may frustrate it. When they forget Him in plenty, He may remind them through want.
Yet even in judgment, there is mercy. God’s purpose is not destruction but restoration. He dries up the land that He might soften the heart. He withholds outward blessing that He might restore inward obedience. His hand is heavy, yet not without design for good.
God commands the rain and the drought, He gives and takes away, He blesses and corrects, and He does all things with perfect wisdom and righteousness. Let us therefore worship and adore Him, trust and fear Him. For He is Lord of all.
Contemplations:
- God’s sovereign command over creation. Lord, I adore You as the One who commands the heavens and the earth. The rain falls at Your word, and the drought comes at Your call. All the elements obey You, and all creation serves Your will. Your power is absolute and Your dominion universal.
- God’s wise use of judgments. Father, I adore You for the wisdom with which You govern all things. You do not afflict without purpose, nor do You send hardship without design. Even Your judgments are guided by perfect understanding and directed toward righteous ends.
- God’s justice in withholding blessings. Lord, thank You that You are just in all Your dealings. When You withhold blessing, it is not without cause. You are righteous in correction and holy in judgment. All Your ways are pure, and Your dealings with men are always right.
- God’s mercy even in discipline. Father, I adore You that even in judgment there is mercy. You correct that You may restore. You humble that You may raise up. Your hand may be heavy, but it is not without compassion. You seek not simply to punish, but to bring sinners back to Yourself.
Prayer (Adoration)
Most high and sovereign God, in reverent adoration I acknowledge that You rule over all the works of Your hands. You call for the drought, and it comes. You command the rain, and it falls. The heavens and the earth obey Your voice without resistance.
I adore You for Your power over creation. Nothing is outside Your control. The seasons, the elements, the fruits of the earth, and the labor of men are all under Your government. You give abundance, and You withhold it according to Your will.
I adore You for the wisdom of Your providence. You do not act without purpose. Every judgment You send, every blessing You grant, every change You ordain is guided by perfect understanding. What I cannot comprehend, You have fully ordered.
I adore You for Your justice. You are righteous in all Your ways and holy in all Your works. When You contend with a people, it is because sin has provoked You.
I adore You also for Your mercy. Even in correction, You are compassionate. You do not afflict without cause, nor do You take pleasure in the suffering of men. Your design is to awaken, to humble, and to restore.
Let my heart tremble before Your majesty and trust in Your goodness. Teach me to see Your hand in all things and to worship You in every providence.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Further Scripture References for Haggai 1:11:
1 Kings 17:1; Deut. 28:22; Psalm 4:7; Psalm 105:16
[1] Thomas Brooks, The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks, ed. Alexander Balloch Grosart, vol. 6 (Edinburgh; London; Dublin: James Nichol; James Nisbet and Co.; G. Herbert, 1867), 130-135.
