On the first day of April in 1997, New England was hit with the third largest snowstorm in its history. Just as the longer days, with their accompanying warmth, began to summon the birds from the south and signal to the daffodils and tulips that it was warm enough to emerge, New Englanders were struck by the howling wind and heavy snow downing power lines and trees.
Early the next morning, as the light emerged to announce daybreak, I heard outside my __ window a lone bird's chirp. It could be heard distinctly over the din of the storm as if to remind us all of the words of God's promise, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10).
Many years ago, there was another storm of a personal nature. Thomas A. Dorsey grew up in Georgia as a preacher's son. He had great musical talent and was a successful composer of Jazz and Blues. As he became popular, he drifted away from God, until one day when he was miraculously spared from death. He slowly began to turn his life around and started composing gospel songs for church services and evangelistic meetings.
While at a revival meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, he received the tragic news that both his wife and son had been killed. Out of his great heartache, disappointment, discouragement, and grief, Dorsey cried to the Lord to lead him through this pain. He called out to the Lord to help him through this mighty storm in his life which seemed like a night of darkness. He waited and pleaded with the Lord for help but experienced no help. And, as a result, he became very angry and bitter and felt that he was in a big dark pit with no help in sight.
After a few weeks he started playing the piano at home and it was then that he composed the song, Precious Lord. The following week he introduced the new song to the choir, and they sang it at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in South Chicago, Ilinois, while he played the accompaniment. At the end of the performance the church broke out in shouts of praise to the Lord. Later Dorsey said, "My business is to bring people to Christ instead of leaving them where they are. My writings are for all of God's people, and I am happy that the Lord is using me in a mighty way to bring people to Him and to the knowledge of the cross." Dorsey was willing and eager to share God's love with all people, to help lift their spirits, and to let them know that God still loves them.
Our God is still in the soulsaving business, and He can still give each one of us the power to do His bidding. No matter what our situation may be or what problems we may face, we can take them to Him and leave them with Him. We do not have to fear the present or the future because we are assured that He is leading us into a path of righteousness.
May God help us today to enjoy His fellowship and His leading. May we feel Him holding our right hand and leading us in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. He is always there to help, guide, lead, and understand.
May we feel His hand on our shoulder directing us, His hand on our head guiding our thinking process, and His hand showing us the right path in which to walk.
Leon Thomassian writes from South Lancaster, Massachusetts, where he works as the treasurer of the Atlantic Union Conference. Reprinted from Atlantic Union Gleaner, December 1997.
