Years ago I heard the story of the farmhand employed by a man who lived in the city. Every evening before nightfall, the farmhand would secure all the gates and close down all the sheds and outhouses. Nothing was left to chance. There were no open doors left to bang around in the wind and no loose gates to accidentally swing open and cause trouble. He did his work thoroughly and made everything under his control as secure as he possibly could. If storms blew in during the night, they would not do any damage due to the faithful farmhand's oversight, diligence, and faithfulness.

Late one evening, the owner visited the farm and heard a weather report of an unusually severe storm approaching. The wind gusts were frightening and such a storm had never been experienced in the area before. In the dark, alarmed at the report, he sought out the old farmhand down at the cottage.

"There's a terrible storm coming," he said, banging on the door. "Why aren't you out there making everything secure? What needs to be done?" he asked in a panic.

The old farmhand opened the door and held his lantern high. He looked at the owner and replied in a measured and dismissive tone as he turned away, "I sleep well on windy nights."

The Old Testament tells of a man who did not wait until the storms raged. Like the farmhand securing the farm, it was his custom to secure his family every day. Early every morning, as was his "regular custom," Job took each one of his grown up sons and daughters to a safe place with God and secured pardon for any sins they might accidentally have committed. (Job 1:5)

Have we done everything in our power during the good times to secure our loved ones against whatever tragedies and difficulties might threaten them?

We, too, can sleep well on windy nights when destructive storms and gales threaten our families after we have placed them in the Lord's keeping. Make it a "regular custom" so that we have peace even in the midst of storms.

We, too, can sleep well on windy nights!

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (Jesus in  John 14:27 NKJV)