A little while ago we told you something about the power of steam, and showed you what this power really is, the power of God’s own life, for “there is no power but of God.” Steam is water in another form, into which it is changed by heat which the sun brings to the earth. So you will see whose is the power; it all belongs to God, who is “the Fountain of living waters,” and “the Light of the world.”

I hope you will remember, too, what we have told you about the laws which are working in all created things, being the laws of God’s own life, of which they are all but different forms, and then you will learn from them precious lessons of the power of God to fulfil His own will in all the things that He has made . When there is nothing in the way of their fulfilment, these laws bring life and blessing. But when there are obstacles and hindrances in the way, the purpose of God is carried out just the same, only, it brings destruction and death to everything that would hinder it. So “that which is ordained to life, is found to be unto death.”

Sometimes we are reminded of the awful power of God which is in the water, by hearing of some accident which has been caused by something which has stood in the way of the carrying out of His laws which are in it. How often in the winter we hear of burst water pipes and water jugs; and even solid stones and rocks will split open in the frosty weather. Do you know why this is?

It is because the water expands as it freezes, and the jugs, or whatever holds the water, is burst open to make room for the increasing volume. When the moisture that is in the rocks and stones freezes and expands, even the rock is shattered. The water is the life,—the visible Word of God, and He says, “Is not My Word like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”

You have sometimes heard of a boiler explosion, or perhaps other accidents caused by the expansion of steam when there has been no outlet for it. Nothing can then withstand its terrible force; it bursts whatever would confine it. Boiling water, if there is an opening, expands upward and runs over, as you have often seen it, and the steam escapes into the air. But if it has no way of escape, it makes a way for itself by bursting open and destroying whatever is in the way of its fulfilling the law which is in it.

Did you know that earthquakes and volcano eruptions are also caused by the power of steam? These things are becoming more and more frequent as the earth “waxes old,” and Jesus has told us that they are one of the signs of His coming “to restore all things,” to “make all thing new” again.

This is to be a warning to the people to prepare for His coming, and let His power working in them make them “new creatures,” and take away from them everything that is not in harmony with His law of life, instead of destroying them at His coming.

“When the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make Thy name known to Thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Thy presence.” “He putteth forth His hand upon the flinty rock, He overturneth the mountains by their roots.” [Isa. 64:2; Job 28:9]

But these things should not make afraid, but lead us to rejoice in the mighty power of our God, and of His life that is in us. If “God is our refuge and strength” and we are letting Him do His own will us, we shall be able, even in such terrible times, to say, “Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed, and thou the mountains be carried into the midst the sea.” [Psalm 46:1, 2]

An old woman who remained perfectly peaceful in the midst of an earthquake was asked why she was not afraid. She answered that she was “glad that she had a God who could shake the earth.” So to His children everything that shows the power of their Heavenly Father is a cause of rejoicing and not of fear. They know how safe they are in His keeping, and how strong He is to “perform all things for them.”

There is power in His life in us to overcome and remove every obstacle that would hinder Him from doing His own will in us. So let us yield ourselves to Him in loving trust, knowing that He is able to “make us perfect in every good work to do His will, working in us that which well-pleasing in His sight.”

“Let mountains from their seats be hurled
Down to the deep, and buried there,
Convulsions shake the solid world,
Our faith shall never yield to fear.

“Loud may the troubled ocean roar;
In sacred peace our souls abide;
While every nation, every shore,
Trembles, and dreads the swelling tide.”

The Present Truth – August 24, 1899
E. J. Waggoner

Story in pdf  The Power of God