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The Majesty of God, April 11
O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee?...Thou rulest
the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
Psalm 89:8, 9
.
Yesterday, Brother [Charles] Chittendon took out a number of us on the
water in his boat.... We remained on the water and beach all day. Sailed out
of the Golden Gate upon the ocean.... The waves ran high and we were tossed
up and down so very grandly.... The spray dashing over us. The watchful
captain giving his orders, the hands ready to obey. The wind was blowing
strong and I never enjoyed anything as much in my life.
I was today to write upon Christ walking on the sea and stilling the
tempest. Oh, how this scene was impressed upon my mind.... The majesty of
God and His works occupied my thoughts. He holds the winds in His hands,
He controls the waters. Finite beings, mere specks upon the broad, deep
waters of the Pacific, were we in the sight of God, yet angels of heaven were
sent from His excellent glory to guard that little sailboat that was careening
over the waves....
How vividly before my mind was the boat with the disciples buffeting
the waves. The night was dark and tempestuous. Their Master was absent.
The sea was strong, the winds contrary. Had Jesus, their Saviour, been with
them, they would have felt safe. All through the long and tedious night they
bend to their oars, forcing their way against wind and waves. They are beset
with danger and horror. These were strong men, accustomed to hardships and
perils, and not easily intimidated with danger.
They had expected to take their Saviour on board the ship at a certain
point designated, but how without Him could they even reach that spot? All
in vain, the wind was against them. The strength of the rowers was exhausted
and yet the merciless storm had not abated, but was lashing the waves into a
fury as though to engulf the boat and themselves. Oh, how they longed for
Jesus.
In the hour of their greatest peril, when they had given up all for lost, amid
the lightning flashes in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus is revealed to them
walking upon the water. Oh, then Jesus had not forgotten them! His watchful
eye of tender sympathy and pitying love had watched them, all through that
fearful storm. In their greatest need He was close by them.—
Letter 5, April
11, 1876
, to James White.
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