Matthew 8:23-27 — Jesus got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
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Can you sleep while the wind blows? During a recent hurricane, the following story circulated on the internet.
A farmer on the Atlantic seacoast was constantly advertising for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic because of the awful storms that wreaked havoc on the buildings and crops. One applicant for the job was a short, thin man, well past middle age.
“Are you a good farm hand?” the farmer asked him.
“Well, I can sleep when the wind blows,” answered the little man.
Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him. The little man worked well and kept busy from dawn to dusk. The farmer felt satisfied with the man’s work.
Then one night the wind howled loudly from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed to the hired hand’s sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, “Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!”
The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, “No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.”
Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. He hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.
When you are prepared for storms– spiritually, mentally, and practically– you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm.
We secure ourselves against the storms of life by soaking ourselves in the Word of God, being obedient to it, and then placing our faith and trust in God’s goodness. We don’t need to understand. We just need to hold His hand to have peace in the midst of our storms.
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Proverbs 10:25 — When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
Isaiah 25:4a — You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm.
Philippians 4:6-7 — Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m worn.
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light.
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
When my way grows drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
–Thomas Dorsey, 1932
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Thomas Dorsey (1899-1993) wrote that song while enduring a bad storm in his life. His wife died giving birth to their first child. The baby also died. In his grief, Dorsey wrote this song, praying that the Lord take his hand and lead him through that storm. You can read more of this story HERE.
Laetitia Laure Nsoutou, better known by her stage name Lor, is a 35-year-old Cameroonian rapper, singer-songwriter, and actress. She has recorded many hymns, including this wonderful recording of Precious Lord, Take My Hand.
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