Drought, physical

Drought arises through the absence of rain, leading to severe hardship for those who are affected by it.

Drought may be a sign of God's displeasure

Deuteronomy 11:17 See also Deuteronomy 28:22–24; 2 Samuel 1:21; 1 Kings 17:1; Psalm 107:33–34; Isaiah 5:6, Isaiah 5:13; Jeremiah 2:2–3, Jeremiah 14:1–6, Jeremiah 50:38; Ezekiel 22:23–24; Amos 4:7; Haggai 1:11; James 5:17

or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you. He will shut the heavens so that there will be no rain, nor will the land yield its produce, and you will soon perish from the good land that the LORD is giving you.

The response of believers to drought

It tests their faith

1 Kings 17:7; Habakkuk 3:17–18 See also Deuteronomy 8:15; Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 48:20–21; Jeremiah 2:5–6; Hosea 13:5

Some time later, however, the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.

Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

It gives opportunity to help others

Acts 11:28–29 See also Genesis 41:56–57; 1 Kings 17:9, 1 Kings 18:1–4

One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. ( This happened under Claudius.) So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

Rain is a sign of God's general favour or of his forgiveness

His general favour

Acts 14:17 See also Genesis 27:28; Job 5:10, Job 38:25–28; Psalm 65:9–10, Psalm 147:8; Jeremiah 5:24, Jeremiah 14:22; Matthew 5:45

Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

His response to repentance

Joel 2:12, Joel 2:23 See also Malachi 3:10

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication. He sends you showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

His response to obedience

Deuteronomy 11:13–14 See also Leviticus 26:3–4

So if you carefully obey the commandments I am giving you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil.

His response to prayer

James 5:18 See also 1 Kings 8:35–36, 1 Kings 18:36–46; Zechariah 10:1

Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.