p. 122 | Look Up!

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 15, 1863

Look Up!

THE last time I was out on the "great deep," I learned how to walk among waves and to stand amid the storm. The winds howled, the waters roared, the billows dashed, the waves rushed and foamed. I felt like fainting. For the first time I feared "the dangers at sea." And why? Ah! I had looked down into the deep, dark, raging waters, and when I saw them madly rushing around the boat, I thought the vessel was rocking to and fro, tipping and plunging, almost sinking! But, dear reader, it was only my head that reeled, and my dizzy sight that rocked. The old time-proved vessel, was firm, and it was her activity that stirred the otherwise still waters. She ploughed up the waves, and made all the noise. For when I looked up and gazed beyond the waters, I saw the clear blue sky, and felt secure. I looked up to the heavens and the bright sun sent its beams to my face. I looked ahead, over the waves, and saw sunny banks beyond, and rest on the other shore.

Thus it is with Christians who keep their eye on the dreary spots and dark sides of this life's pages. O, ye fainting, languishing, discouraged souls, look up! Behold beyond the tide a sunny clime. Above the murmuring of the waters, music floats. Listen to it. The voice is "low and sweet;" and ye must hearken to it. It comes stilly, but comforting—"'Tis I; be not afraid."

Christ says, "Look unto me;" and unless we do, we see no light,—this world is dark. Without Christ, heaven would be dreary. He is there, and we are to have our affections there, our eyes lifted up to Him.

Then who cares for the roaring waves. They are under our feet. We are looking upward, and cannot see them. And if we "walk by faith," we need not watch our goings, nor choose our steps. The Lord hath established our goings. Our feet are on the sure Rock,—we need not fear. Let the earth dissolve; the Lord will take us up to him; the eternal Rock will remain.

Fear not little flock. In Christ feel secure. There is a safety that nothing else affords. We may feel safe now; and in the great day when earth totters to her fall, we shall be safe in the "chambers" of the skies. Then when the new earth rises amid the ruins of the old, the Holy City shall descend with its King and its subjects—immortal saints—and so shall we be "ever with the Lord."

Let me dwell there. I'm looking up to see the coming King. The day-star rises. The morning dawns. The clouds are breaking. Jesus is coming. Saints, "lift up your heads and rejoice."