Sayyiduna Abu Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I was beating a slave of mine when suddenly I heard a voice behind me: "Know, O Abu Mas'ud!" I turned around, and it was the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Out of awe of him (peace and blessings be upon him), the whip fell from my hand. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Listen! By Allah, Allah has far more power over you than you have over him."
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / باب العين / 14757