"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." (Hosea 6:3)
It's raining outside as I write this.
It says that we shall know. And just so you know, going forward, the latter rain is Springtime rain and the former rain refers to Autumn harvest rain. But I'm pretty sure as I look at the glistening street outside that right now it's cold Winter rain, of which I want no part.
This verse speaks of the Lord following up on His promises to increase and bless us as we in turn decide in our hearts to follow Him. That's usually what rain symbolizes in the Bible. The outpouring of God's abundance and provision and blessing. It's a good sign.
Personally, this verse speaks to me as one of healing and trust. I used to have serious issues with regret. Having frittered away what I thought were the best years of my life—the formative years—I felt I was on the wrong track, permanently. Oh, the confidence of youth! As I am now several years removed from that depressing time, the future didn't turn out to be nearly as grim and gloomy as I thought. I just couldn't get beyond the fact that I had years of atonement to make up for having ignored the lessons I was taught as a child. God's mercy circumnavigated the reaping process and the lesson came to a close, centering on this single verse (Psalm 119:29 helped too).
God backs up all of His promises in the Bible with the bank of Heaven. And I don't mean to sound gimmicky or flippant. The point is, God has everything we need if we'll only come to Him. "How shall He not with Him (Jesus) also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)
When you can't get beyond the fact that all you feel is regret for having disobeyed the Lord in the past, may I suggest this simple prescription: Forgive yourself. Then, make a conscious decision to "follow on to know the Lord". This puts all of your future focus on serving God in whatever capacity He makes available. And do yourself and everyone else a favor and jettison the notion of perfect obedience. We're working towards that and always will be. "And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:6)
The rain brings crops and sustenance, but there's no better physical reminder of faithfulness than the sunrise: "His going forth is prepared as the morning." Bank on it. God will move, and He'll take you with Him. He "shall gently lead those that are with young." (Isaiah 40:11)
Oh, and the sunshine after the rain brings rainbows. Also a good sign.