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He Neither Slumbers Nor Sleeps
The Lord is Our Keeper
by David A. DePra
     The wind was tossing the tiny ship. It was made of only wood,
and could not take much more. Yet only that fragile ship stood
between the disciples and the raging sea. They were terrified.
They were helpless. They knew of nothing they could do.
     Jesus was asleep on the pillow. How could He possibly
stay asleep amidst such a storm? Why didn't the shaking and
jarring, let alone the shouts of terror awake Him? But no. He
stayed asleep, as if oblivious to what was happening.
     The disciples had followed Him into the boat. But they had no
idea that this was where they would be led! To the raging sea.
To an untimely death. Where was Jesus? Where was God?
He was sleeping. He wasn't paying any attention to them.
     "How can you sleep, Lord? Don't you care that we perish?
Save us! Deliver us from this death!" But Jesus just turned over.
He really didn't hear them. How could He? The wind and the
sea were so loud that their voices were but a faint echo. Their
cries but a distant sound. No, Jesus couldn't hear them. He
was asleep.
     The storm worsened. The wood frame of the ship began to
crack. The sail were completely tattered. The taste of salt
water was everywhere. But Jesus was asleep. He didn't seem
to notice.
     At last they awoke Him. "Save us! We perish!," they cried.
They had no idea what they wanted Him to do; no clue as to
how Jesus could possibly solve this problem. But to Him they
turned. To Him they ran. "Maybe HE could pray to God for us.
Maybe HE could get God to notice our dilemma."
     Jesus stirred. But He seemed unmoved. What was all the
fuss? "Why are you afraid," He quizzed. "Why are ye fearful,
o ye of little faith."
     They must have murmured. "Is He kidding? Why does He
think we are fearful? And why is He saying we are of little faith? "
     Jesus finally arose. He commanded and the wind and sea
obeyed. His disciples were astounded. They had not know
what to expect. But this? Who was this, that the wind and seas
obey Him?
     Jesus spoke nothing else to them. It was not yet time. But
perhaps a Psalm went through His mind:
 
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. From whence comes my
help? My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and
earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved. He that keepeth
thee WILL NOT SLUMBER. He that keepeth Israel shall
NEITHER SLUMBER NOR SLEEP. (Ps. 121:1-4)
 
     He wanted to tell them, but could not, that the Lord is their
Keeper. He is never asleep. Oh yes, it may at times LOOK like
He is sleeping. It may appear to the eye as if Jesus is fast
asleep in the midst of the storm which is tossing our lives to and
fro. It may appear as if it is a deep sleep indeed. But faith
doesn't rely on appearances. It relies upon God. And the Lord,
as the Psalm continues, "shall preserve thee from all evil. He
shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out
and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forever." (Ps.
121:7-8)
     Who is this, that the wind and seas obey Him? It is the Lord,
our Keeper, who neither slumbers nor sleeps. *

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