Will the U.S. Drought Continue?

In the middle of winter few people, other than farmers, worry about precipitation. Most would prefer not to have any, as most of it comes as snow or ice. Few realize how vital and important winter precipitation is in recharging our soils with moisture and protecting our perennial crops.

Much of the U.S. has been experiencing one of the most severe and long-lasting droughts in history. According to the USDA’s drought monitor, for the end of December, 61.8% of the country was in drought (Brownfield AG News, December 31, 2012); and 25% of Minnesota, 42% of Iowa, 63% of South Dakota and 96% of Nebraska are in extreme to exceptional drought—the two worst categories. All four are among the top six corn-producing states (Southwest Farm Press, December 27, 2012).

In Deuteronomy 28:58, God told ancient Israel that if it was not careful to observe all the words of His law, He would allow terrible curses to come upon them. As descendants of ancient Israel, modern-day U.S. and Great Britain are still under this prophecy. Verse 24 tells us that God will change the rain of our land to powder and dust, if we are not careful to observe all of His commandments.

On December 17, 2012, the panhandle of Texas, near Lubbock, endured its second major dust storm in two years—reminiscent of the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s. Whether this will become the long-prophesied “end-time drought” remains to be seen, but according to the Bible, unless the Israelite-descended nations begin to repent and change their sinful ways, severe drought and dust storms will continue.