Christ in the Storm

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 18, 1856

Christ in the Storm.

BEAUTIFUL INCIDENT.

ONE dark and stormy night, said a traveler, we were tossing in a rude little native boat, near the coast of Ceylon. As I lay on my low bed in the bottom of the boat, and saw the red flashes of lightning through the thatched covering, and heard the rapid peals of thunder, while the rain was pouring in on all sides, and our boat tossing like a bubble on the angry waves, I could not but think of our danger, for I knew that the native boatmen were timid and ignorant, and many such little barks go down every year on that coast.

Trembling and afraid, I raised my head to catch the words of my companion as he inquired for the master of the boat. 'He is in the hinder part of the ship, asleep,' was the reply. Little did the rude heathen who uttered these simple words, know how they made my very soul thrill.

In a moment I was carried back to that night when Jesus, perhaps in just such a rude little boat as ours, lay tossing on the stormy lake of Genesareth. Never, did I so realize that our blessed Saviour was once a man, a suffering mortal, and one with us in nature.

Far from home and kindred, weak, helpless, and full of fear, for a moment I had forgotten that Jesus was just as near as he was to those fearing disciples, and that he could as easily say to the foaming billows about us, 'Peace, be still,' as he did on that night when they cried, 'Master, carest thou not that we perish.'

My fears were gone. I felt that Jesus was near, that I could almost put my hand in his, and hear his voice, 'It is I; be not afraid.' Often since then, in hours of darkness and trial, have I lived over that night, and been comforted by the same sweet thoughts.

Dear fellow Christian, in a time of darkness and storm, dost thou remember that Jesus is near? When afflictions come, and mountains of grief stand on the right hand and the left, and the mists of full despair come full and thick in thy face, dost thou draw near to thy Master and trust to his arm to save? This is thy privilege. Oh, come to Him and enjoy it. Do heavy burdens press thee down, fear not to carry them all to Jesus. None are too heavy for him to bear, none so small as to be beneath his notice. In him all fullness dwells. Art thou poor? he is rich. Art thou weak? he is strong. Art thou sinful and unworthy? he is righteous and infinitely worthy.

Look up, then, to Jesus. Confide in him. Live very near to him, and be at peace!