Michael Card - Asleep In the Bow Lyrics
Lyrics
Sweet Jesus, You slept through the storm in the bow
Through lightning, through thunder You slumbered but how?
You totally trusted Your Father, that s how
You slept through the storm in the bow
You slept through the storm in the bow
Are you simply fearless? A sleeper so sound
That You could find rest with the storm all around
Was it simple trust in your Father that made
The dangers seem like as your aid?
Sweet Jesus, You slept through the storm in the bow
Through lightning, through thunder You slumbered but how?
You totally trusted Your Father, that's how
You slept through the storm in the bow
You slept through the storm in the bow
Sweet Jesus, the storms of this life raging hell
So, sometimes for little ones sleeps disallowed
Raise up now and speak that these storms maybe gone
And make my waves calm down from darkness til dawn
Sweet Jesus, You slept through the storm in the bow
Through lightning, through thunder You slumbered but how?
You totally trusted Your Father, that's how
You slept through the storm in the bow
You slept through the storm in the bow
Video
Asleep In The Bow
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on January 1, 1993, as part of the album *Come to the Cradle*, Michael Card's "Asleep In the Bow" masterfully draws listeners into a profound scriptural narrative, offering a contemplative look at faith amidst life’s tempests. The song centers on the dramatic biblical account found primarily in Mark 4:35-41, where Jesus and His disciples encounter a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. While the disciples, seasoned fishermen, panic and fear for their lives, Jesus remains undisturbed, sleeping soundly in the stern of the boat. This stark contrast between human terror and divine tranquility forms the spiritual core of the song, inviting us to ponder the source of such extraordinary peace.
The song’s initial verses paint the scene with striking clarity, questioning how Jesus could possibly slumber through such a fierce gale. The answer provided is simple yet immensely powerful: "You totally trusted Your Father, that's how." This statement encapsulates the song's central message and unlocks a deeper understanding of Jesus' character. His peace was not born of ignorance or indifference, but from an unwavering, absolute trust in God the Father's sovereignty and care. This resonates deeply with passages like Isaiah 26:3, which promises "perfect peace" to those whose minds are steadfastly fixed on the Lord because they trust in Him. Jesus, in His full humanity, experienced fatigue and the need for rest, yet His divine nature and perfect faith allowed Him to embody this peace even when circumstances were most threatening. His sleep becomes a profound demonstration of what it means to truly rest in God's provision and control, illustrating Psalm 4:8, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."
As the song progresses, it skillfully bridges the historical event with the contemporary struggles of believers. The plea, "Sweet Jesus, the storms of this life raging hell," acknowledges the intense and often overwhelming challenges individuals face today—moments of crisis, anxiety, and despair that can leave one feeling abandoned or unheard. The desire for Jesus to "Raise up now and speak that these storms maybe gone / And make my waves calm down from darkness til dawn" echoes the disciples' desperate cry in Mark 4:38, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" This transition in the song is not merely a request for intervention, but an expression of profound spiritual longing for the same calming presence that once silenced the winds and waves. It reminds us that Jesus, who experienced the full spectrum of human life and demonstrated perfect trust in the Father, is uniquely qualified to empathize with our weaknesses and offer us His peace, as affirmed in Hebrews 4:15-16.
Michael Card's lyrical craftsmanship serves to inspire a deeper faith and encourages a radical dependence on God in our own lives. The song challenges us to consider where we place our trust when our personal "bow" is being tossed by life’s storms. It doesn't promise an absence of storms, but rather the possibility of cultivating an inner calm, rooted in the same trust Jesus exemplified. The enduring message is that even when Jesus seems "asleep" to our troubles, His presence is profoundly real, and His power to bring peace remains absolute. "Asleep In the Bow" therefore becomes more than a retelling; it is an invitation to enter into a relationship with the One who commands even the wind and the sea, urging us to surrender our anxieties and find true rest in His unwavering care, aligning our hearts with the peace of God that "transcends all understanding," as described in Philippians 4:6-7. This powerful piece stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith and the quiet strength found in trusting God completely, no matter how turbulent the waters of life become.