A cattleman who owned a big ranch was in desperate need of a good ranch-hand. As he interviewed the first applicant he asked, “What are your qualifications?”

“Well, sir, I can sleep through the storm.” replied the young man.

Although the rancher was a little bewildered, he decided to give him a chance. A week or two went by before the rancher and his wife were awakened in the middle of the night by a violent storm.

Fearing for their ranch-hand, livestock, and equipment, they ran down the stairs and grabbed their coats. What they saw next amazed them. Everything was safe inside the barn, and all the doors and windows were buttoned up tightly. When they entered the barn, they noticed the ranch-hand was fast asleep. Now they understood his qualifications.

The ranch-hand saw the sky darkening earlier that day and knew the storm was coming. He acted on what he saw and was prepared. Today, we need to do the same. We can see the skies are darkening. Natural disasters are increasing, heinous crimes are escalating, our nation’s morals are torn to shreds, the world’s governments are already pushing for a one world currency and our country’s foundation has been shaken by adamant unbelievers. Many people seek to worship anything they can other than the one true God.

The day in which all will have to give account for their lives is drawing closer. The window of opportunity to accept God’s payment for sin is coming to a close, yet, there are so many who have yet to be saved. There is a storm coming, and the world needs to know the truth about the safe refuge we have in Christ. As the skies darken, may we strive to show the lost where they can find their eternal shelter.