World Unyielding

The sovereignty of God is overlooked by the masses. Rain here in the United Kingdom seems a trivial matter. But plant yourself in the Middle East of which the Biblical narrative takes place, and you would better understand the importance of rain. It is mentioned among the great and marvellous things God gives to the earth (Job 5:9-10). The Bible plainly ascribes rain to the enactment of God’s sovereign decree, something which ought to prompt a fear of God rooted in awe of His wisdom and understanding (Job 28:26-28). However, with the increased knowledge of nature’s processes today, pride in man has also increased. Now nations boast of their wisdom and understanding that bring new capabilities. Whether the realm of humanity’s dominion ought to extend to the influence of weather patterns is suspect. Nevertheless, the decades-old practice of cloud seeding has been recently applied in Dubai with much boasting on their part. The dispersion of silver iodide into clouds to stimulate precipitation has been tested for a while. It seems to have worked too well in Dubai, causing heavy rains leading to floods in the typically arid region. Torrential rainfall equivalent to a year and a half’s precipitation. The inundation is even visible from space.

The UAE has been conducting a cloud seeding project involving experimentation on a regional scale. The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science is a bold attempt to counteract the predicted global heating for the region. Though news outlets unanimously say cloud seeding is not to blame for a storm of such magnitude, the modification of rainfall for storms through cloud seeding is a matter of fact. Regardless, the floods are the result of God’s sovereign decree, in spite of bold attempts to manipulate weather.

When seeking rainfall, is it easier for a nation to turn to scientific experimentation or to God for respite? Surely it is a sign of God’s judgment that hardened hearts seek methods to bypass repentance in obtaining His blessing. Rain can certainly be a blessing from the living God, who is worthy of thanksgiving and praise, since He prepares rain for the earth (Psalm 147:8). But flooding is a curse from God, as evident in the global flood of antiquity. Nations prioritizing the development of methods that cause rainfall rather than repenting to God, who gives rain, is a sign of God’s wrath already poured out. In Dubai’s case, what was the fruit of their work? They are left ashamed, for the blessing of rainfall that they desired, God turned into the curse of flooding. They sought to cause rain in a hyper-arid land, to satisfy the desolate waste, to avert the disaster of drought. The mission to avoid drought resulted in floods.

God causes it to rain on a land where there is none (Job 38:25). It is the benevolence of God toward His creation. So it begs the question, what would lead God to withhold rain? Sin. When any nation sees more promise in the supposed capabilities of science than in the almighty God, that is sin. It is first-rate idolatry. The LORD God has no problem frustrating the plans of men. Wherever people flee for refuge, if their refuge is not in this God who rules over heaven and earth, it will only be proven to be useless.

Is there something more sinister to suspect here? Is cloud seeding an attempt to play God? A world that is increasingly shaped by naturalism will always seek naturalistic solutions while overlooking spiritual reality. Over recent years, Dubai has boasted of the ability to artificially create rainstorms. Whether they are seeking global recognition or sincerely hoping to help others, I cannot tell. The Lord Jesus laid out the prototype contained in the catastrophic event of Satan’s downfall, saying, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18). There is a warning contained there. Satan, who defiantly grasped at the authority of God, was exiled from the dwelling place of God. What was framed as a noble bid for autonomy resulted in an eternal loss that exceeds any supposed short-lived gain. Nations likewise seek autonomy as they reject the sovereign rule of God and His Son. It is the same pride that required Satan and his angels to be cast out of heaven under a curse. Pride that is unashamedly marketed as freedom.

Ponder the success rate of cloud seeding. Weigh the risk of ongoing experimentation backfiring. Count the number of lives at risk. Consider the simplicity of faith in Christ our Maker. It is acknowledged in God’s word that leaders of nations collectively set themselves up against the living God. It is no surprise that one unrepentant nation would share knowledge with another unrepentant nation in a united resistance against God’s sovereignty. Nations in the Western and Eastern worlds alike have made efforts to manipulate rainfall with mixed results. Nevertheless, God’s sovereign decree still stands apart from the proud efforts of man. Humility, prayer, seeking God, and turning from wicked ways are the route toward healing for a land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Prioritizing God over all other supposed means and agents of healing is what we are called to. God forgives sin and heals lands. He has given His only begotten Son the nations as an inheritance, whether those nations be willing or not. Must we too be lured by unrelenting resistance toward God?