Standing strong in the storm

The areas through which the promenade runs are Mouille Point, Three Anchor Bay, Sea Point and Bantry Bay. One day when I arrived and parked my car in Three Anchor Bay, I was shocked at what I saw. The sea seemed to be boiling. It was more than rough or turbulent. It was violent and ferocious, and seemed to be very angry. I was reminded of the hymn, “Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high!”  I had never seen such big waves.

As I looked along the promenade towards Sea Point, the waves were breaking against the wall of the promenade and were being thrown up into the sky twice as high as the lamp posts. Many gigantic waves were breaking over the railing and right across the promenade, which is about 8 meters wide, and onto the grass for several meters! It was too dangerous to walk there. I was stunned by what I was looking at.  I decided to walk along the pavement following the street, from where I could watch these enormous waves from a very safe distance. It was quite scary just to look at. (These photos don't do justice to what I saw that day.)

The next day when we returned, all of the sea storm was over. We walked safely along the promenade again. The 3rd verse of that hymn begins: “Master, the terror is over. The elements sweetly rest.” As we walked, I examined the concrete pillars which hold up the railings along the edge of the promenade.

They were all there. None had been swept away. I found myself silently congratulating them on standing their ground in such a violent storm. They had stood firm in spite of all the attacks of the sea, and at times being completely swallowed up by the waves. They didn’t budge. They didn’t give in. They were still in their place. I hope that we will be like those pillars – firm, steadfast and immoveable in spite of the storms with which life overwhelms us, despite the violent battering of giant waves that threaten to tear us down, and no matter what temptations may rage against us. The 2nd verse of that hymn comes to mind: “Torrents of sin and of anguish sweep o’er my sinking soul, and I perish! I perish! dear Master. Oh, hasten & take control.” I hope that we will always be found in our place, where we should be, unconquered & unconquerable.

Those pillars are made of solid, hard material. How firm is the material of which we are made? They are firmly rooted in their place with metal poles inside which hold them to the ground like roots. What holds us in place is a strong testimony of Christ for times when Satan rages against us and temptations threaten to overwhelm us. Having Jesus Christ as our anchor or foundation, as well as having a relationship with Him, which can be developed through prayer and scripture study, also holds us in our place.

 Helaman taught his sons: “Remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.” (Helaman 5:12)

Another thing which keeps the pillars firmly in place is that they are joined to each other by horizontal metal poles firmly inserted into each pillar. It looks like they are holding hands. This can be likened to us having strong relationships with others who will keep us strong when we cannot stand alone. These can be family members, friends, and ward members. We should hold onto each other in hard times and not let go. If we give up caring because someone stops attending church, they may be swept away by the waves in their lives. Like the pillars, if we let go of a brother or sister, we are weakened too by our lack of charity, or pure love. 

Master, the Tempest Is Raging

 1. Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness.
No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threat’ning
A grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:
Peace, be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, be still; peace, be still.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, peace, be still.

 2. Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today.
The depths of my sad heart are troubled.
Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o’er my sinking soul,
And I perish! I perish! dear Master.
Oh, hasten and take control!

 3. Master, the terror is over.
The elements sweetly rest.
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven’s within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more,
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore.

 Text: Mary Ann Baker, ca. 1874
 Music: H. R. Palmer, 1834–1907