JESUS CHRIST- OUR HIDING PLACE

ISAIAH 32:1-5

INTRODUCTION

Man’s character needs a “double cure” a place of refuge from danger, and a remedy from the disease of sin. God’s best blessings have usually come by men. When our Lord ascended on high, he received gifts from men and these gifts were men (Psalm.68:18, Eph.4:8,11). Immense blessings have come to Nations by Kings like David, Prophets like Samuel, deliverers like Gideon, Law-givers like Moses. But all good men put together can never compare with The Man, Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is our shield against ten thousand ills, the hiding place and covert of His people. He rules with justice.

Let us consider:-

I.  THIS LIFE IS LIABLE TO STORMS

1. Mysterious hurricanes within, which cause the most dreadful confusion of mind.- Winds, whose direction is uncertain, shaking everything, creating unrest and distraction.
2. Overwhelming tempests of spiritual distress on account of sin, wrong desire, conscious declension and unbelief.
3. Fierce blasts of temptation, insinuations, suggestion, and denunciation from Satan.
4. Wild attacks from human enemies, who taunt, slanders, threaten etc. David ran to refuge “I flee unto thee to hide me” (Psalm 143:9)
5. Trying gales of temporal losses, bereavements and other afflictions.
6. Above all, the storms of divine anger which we have grieved the Holy Spirit and lost communion with God.- At these times we need shelter a hiding place (Isaiah 25:4; 26:20, Psalm 32:7)

II.  FROM THESE STORMS THE MAN CHRIST JESUS IS OUR HIDING PLACE.

1. Jesus Sympathizes with us and brings God near to us (Heb.2:14-18)
2. As more than man, He rules every tempest, loves every feeble traveller as within the cleft of a rock.
3. As substitutionary man, interposing, breasting the storm for us.
4. As a representative man, more than a conqueror and glorified.
5. In Him, we are delivered from divine wrath.
6. In Him, we are covered from Satan’s blasts.
7. In Him, we dwell above trial- above the “snake line”
8. In Him, we are victorious over death
9. As ever-living man,-we live because He lives, we can face every tomorrow.
10. As an interceding man, He says ” I have prayed for you” (Luke 22:32)
11. As the coming man, we dread no political catastrophes or social disruption, we will need no “handshakes” and coalitions, no elections and campaigns.

• “He must reign” The end is secured, Behold He comes” (Rev.1:7)

III.  LET US SEE TO IT THAT WE TAKE SHELTER IN THE MAN.

1. Let Him stands before us- Hide behind Jesus Christ by faith.
2. Let Him daily cover us from all evil, as our shield and protector (Ps.119:114)
3. Let us enter into Him more and more fully, that we may have a fuller sense of security. Hold on to Jesus and Jesus will hold on to you.
4. O you who are out of Christ, the tempest is heavy- come to the covert.

• He is an effectual shelter, tried and proved.
• He is an open refuge, available now, for you.
• He is a capacious hiding place “yet there is room” As in Adullam all those distressed, debted, rejected and forsaken- Jesus receives sinners.
• He is eternal covert; our dwelling place throughout generations.
• He is an inviting shelter- He calls you today.

CONCLUSION

• A shelter is nothing if we stand in front of it- Get behind Christ today, not your works, attainments or feelings.
• A roof is of no value to a man who lies in the open or boat to one who sinks in the sea.
• Jesus Christ as covert from the tempest covers only those who are in Him.
• Come to Jesus, though you nature be dry and your case hopeless, there are rivers of grace in Him.