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Sermon #102 — Isaiah Series

 

Title:                           Christ Our Hiding Place

 

Text:                            Isaiah 32:1-2

Subject:                     Refuge in the Man Christ Jesus

Date:                          Sunday Evening — September 15, 2019

Readings:     Lindsay Campbell and David Burge

Introduction:

 

There is one Man who ranks above all men. The Man of whom I speak, of course, is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God-man, our Savior. All the blessedness which we enjoy as the children of God in this world, and all the blessedness which we shall enjoy in that eternal world to come, was earned and purchased for us by the Man, Christ Jesus. All blessings come to us from the hands of this Man who is our God and our Savior. It is of this Man who is God that Isaiah was inspired to write in Isaiah 32.

 

(Isaiah 32:1-2) Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (2) And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

 

 

Isaiah 32:1-2 is a prophecy of Christ. It speaks of his glorious humanity and tells us that, as a Man, Christ is our Hiding Place.

 

We all recognize and find great comfort and joy in the Divinity of Christ. Jesus Christ is God, I am glad to know that. Were he not God, he could not save us. Were he not God, he would be of no value to our souls. Were he not God, we would have no hope of eternal life.

 

But I am equally thankful for and rejoice in the glorious humanity of Christ. Only as a man could he establish righteousness for men. Only as a man could he sympathize with men, being touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Only as a man could Christ be a Mediator between God and man. The Lord Jesus Christ could not be our Savior were he not both God and Man, the God-Man, bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh and very God of very God.

 

Proposition: Since the Son of God has become the Son of Man, by the mystery of the incarnation, he is a blessed Refuge and Hiding Place for men.

 

Divisions: Let me show you four things in this message.

1. Isaiah uses three metaphors to describe the security and comfort of all who trust the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. GodŐs people in this world are men and women who must pass through many storms.

3. The Man Christ Jesus is our blessed Hiding Place in the storms of life.

4. Be sure that you take shelter and find a hiding place for your soul in this man.

 

Three Metaphors

 

1st —I want you to notice that — Isaiah uses three metaphors to describe the security and comfort of all who trust the Lord Jesus Christ.IsaiahŐs purpose here is to assure GodŐs elect of their security in Christ. He urges sinners to trust Christ, assuring us that there is in him complete safety and comfort.

 

Hiding Place

 

Our Lord Jesus Christ is described as Ňa hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest.Ó — That is to say, Christ is the safety and defense of his people. He is the one to whom we must flee for protection in times of trouble and danger (Proverbs 18:10).

 

Illustration: The Cities of Refuge (Joshua 20:7-8)

 

There is in Christ abundant grounds of peace and safety for all who are in fear and danger. Whether your fears and dangers are temporal or eternal, there is safety for your soul in Christ.

 

á     Christ has undertaken to save all who come to God by him.

á     He is chosen and appointed of God to be a Hiding Place for sinners.

 

Illustration: ŇThere is a place by meÉI will hide thee in the cleft of the Rock

 

á     If we are in Christ the law and justice of God are satisfied regarding our sins, and can never do us any harm.

á     All who come to Christ are forever secured from the wrath of God.

 

God, who is honor bound to punish our sins, is honor bound to bless and save all who come to Christ, because Christ has put away our sins. He has earned for us the approval and favor of God!

 

á     Christ is so dear to the Father that if we are in Christ God the Father accepts us for ChristŐs sake.

á     God has given open testimony that Christ has done and suffered enough to make full satisfaction for all our sins — The Resurrection!

á     Christ has been entrusted with the rule of all things for the safety of his people. — He is a King who reigns in righteousness.

á     ChristŐs love and compassion, which he has fully demonstrated by the sacrifice of himself, show us that he is willing to receive, save, and keep forever all who come to God by him.

á      You are in grave danger without Christ. — The wrath of God is upon you!

á      How happy you would be if you would now flee to Christ.

 

A River

 

Christ is as a river in a dry place. — Ňas rivers of water in a dry place.Ó — That means there is in Christ abundant provision for the full satisfaction and contentment of thirsty souls (Psalm 46:4; Revelation 22:1; John 7:37-38).

 

(Psalm 46:4) There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

 

(Revelation 22:1) And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

 

(John 7:37-38) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

 

á      A river is full.

á      A river is constantly flowing.

á      A river is cleansing.

á      A river is refreshing.

 

To the thirsty soul Christ is a River, a River running full with the water of life. Drink the water of life from this river, and you shall never thirst again.

  • Do you thirst for excellence and nobility? — Find it in Christ.
  • Do you thirst for love and goodness? — Find it in Christ.
  • Do you thirst for forgiveness and acceptance with God? — Find it in Christ.
  • Do you thirst for peace, happiness, joy, and contentment? — Find it in Christ.

 

A Shadow

 

Christ is Ňas the shadow of a great rock in a weary landÓ — That means there is quiet rest and sweet refreshment for weary souls in Christ (Matthew. 11:28-30).

  • He takes away the guilt of sin.
  • He invigorates the weary soul with new life.
  • He gives comfort and rest to relieve you of your labor and travail.

 

How can I persuade you to come to Christ?

  • There is no Refuge for your soul but Christ.
  • Christ is a Refuge at hand.
  • Christ is a well-supplied Refuge! He is all you need!

 

Our Storms

 

2nd — Our text implies that GodŐs people in this world are men and women who must pass through many storms.

 

This 32nd chapter of Isaiah describes times of great storms, hurricanes, cyclones, and droughts. Symbolically, they represent the storms, difficulties, and trials through which all of GodŐs pilgrims must pass as we journey through this world. We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God (Isaiah 43:1-5). But in all our storms, Christ is our Hiding Place.

 

The first storm through which we must pass is the most difficult. It is the storm of guilt, conviction, and judgment because of sin (Psalm 32:1-7).

 

(Psalm 32:1-7) Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (2) Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (3) When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. (4) For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. (5) I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. (6) For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. (7) Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

 

All of GodŐs people experience the terrible pain of guilt, the torment of conviction, and the agony of self-condemnation before they find peace with God (Psalm 51:1-5).

 

(Psalm 51:1-5) Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. (2) Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (3) For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. (4) Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (5) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

 

Some believers have to endure a mysterious hurricane within, mental depression and great confusion of mind. I cannot explain it. I do not understand it. And I cannot excuse it. But I do know the fact of it. Some believers struggle with depression all their lives.

 

                        Illustration: Cowper — Griswold

                                                                                                Spurgeon — Randy P.

                                                                                                Joe T. — Fred E.

 

These terrible, cold winds come from every direction, shaking everything, creating unrest and anxiety. Usually, no definite cause can be found. The cause may be emotional, physical, spiritual, or circumstantial (Matthew 6:25-34). But the depression is a real, horrible storm!

 

(Matthew 6:25-34) Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (27) Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (28) And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: (29) And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (31) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 

(Matthew 10:30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

 

Sometimes we experience the overwhelming tempests of spiritual distress (Lamentation 3:1-26). This is caused by our own sin, unbelief, selfish lusts, and spiritual declension. It is a storm we bring upon ourselves (Song of Solomon 5:2).

 

(Lamentations 3:1-26) I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. (2) He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. (3) Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day. (4) My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. (5) He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail. (6) He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. (7) He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. (8) Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer. (9) He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked. (10) He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places. (11) He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate. (12) He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. (13) He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins. (14) I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day. (15) He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood. (16) He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes. (17) And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. (18) And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: (19) Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. (20) My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. (21) This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. (22) It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (24) The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. (25) The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. (26) It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

 

We often pass through the terrible storm of temptation from Satan (Psalm 73). The fiend of hell knows our weakest, most vulnerable points, and attacks us with all his hellish fury.

 

(Psalm 73:1-28) Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. (2) But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. (3) For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (4) For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. (5) They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. (6) Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. (7) Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. (8) They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. (9) They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. (10) Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. (11) And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? (12) Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. (13) Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. (14) For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. (15) If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. (16) When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; (17) Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. (18) Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. (19) How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. (20) As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. (21) Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. (22) So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. (23) Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. (24) Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (25) Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (26) My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. (27) For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. (28) But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

 

All of GodŐs elect will, sooner or later, go through the storm of human opposition. Those who are the enemies of our God will taunt, slander, threaten, and to their utmost ability to persecute all who seek to serve Christ and his glory. Friends will betray. Family will oppose. Brethren will misunderstand and misjudge. Trusted companions will malign.

 

David frequently had to endure this terrible trial. But he found his refuge and comfort in Christ (Psalms 9:9; 27:5; 31:19-20; 119:114; 143:9).

 

(Psalm 9:9) The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

(Psalm 27:5) For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

 

(Psalm 31:19-20) Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! (20) Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

 

(Psalm 119:114) Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

 

(Psalm 143:9) Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

 

We all must eventually experience the chilling winds of temporal adversity, sickness, bereavement, and sorrow (2 Samuel 12). — ŇMan that is born of woman is of few days and full of troubleÉMan is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward

 

And all of GodŐs children go through terrible storms of divine desertion, when we fall and fear that God has forsaken us. No storm of life is more terrible than the sense of lost communion and fellowship with God, when the Lord hides his face from us (Song of Solomon 5:2-8). All these storms of life are too great for us to bear. If, like Judah, we go down to Egypt for help, we only make matters worse. But there is a place of refuge from these storms. There is a hiding place, a peaceable habitation, a quiet resting place, a river of refreshing, a sure dwelling in which we can find peace of mind, quietness of soul, and assurance of heart, even in the midst of our storms (Isaiah 32:1-2, 17-18).

 

(Isaiah 32:1-2) Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (2) And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

 

(Isaiah 32:17-18) And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. (18) And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

 

Our hiding place is Christ Jesus the Lord. We must hide in him if we would find peace and safety from our trying storms (Isaiah 25:4; 26:20; Lamentations 3:21-26; John 14:1-3).

 

(Isaiah 25:4) For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

 

(Isaiah 26;20) Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

 

(Lamentations 3:21-26) This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. (22) It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (24) The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. (25) The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. (26) It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

 

(John 14:1-3) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

The Man

 

3rd — In our text, there is a special emphasis laid upon the manhood of our Savior. — It is the Man Christ Jesus who is our Hiding Place in the storms of life. — There is special comfort to be derived from the humanity of our Savior. In the storms that trouble us as men, there is a Man to help us. When fear and danger threaten us, there is a Man in whom we can hide. That Man who is God, that God who is Man, Jesus Christ, is our Hiding Place!

 

The Lord Jesus Christ truly is a Man. I find great comfort in the fact that he is one of us. This Man brings God near to manhood and brings manhood near to God.

  • He is a tempted Man.
  • He is a tried Man.
  • He is a sympathizing Man.
  • He is more than a man.He is the God-Man, the Man-God, who rules the world! God has put this world under the rule of a Man!

 

As the Substitutionary Man, Christ is our Hiding Place (2 Corinthians 5:21). He took the storm of GodŐs wrath for us. And we hide in him.

 

Illustration: Noah in the Ark

 

As the Representative Man, Christ is Our Hiding Place.

  • He met the lawŐs demands for us — Righteousness!
  • He satisfied the lawŐs justice for us — Atonement!
  • He conquered death, hell, and the grave in our stead.
  • He arose for us and claimed heaven in our name.
  • He rules the world as our Representative!

 

As the Ever-living Man, Christ is our Hiding Place. Because he lives, we live also (John 14:9).

 

As the Interceding Man, Christ is our Hiding Place. He makes intercession for us continually.

 

As the coming, Conquering Man, Christ is our Hiding Place. We need not dread political catastrophes, social disruption, or economic failures. — ŇHe must reign!Ó The end is secure. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed and must prevail! — ŇBehold, he cometh!Ó And coming, he shall conquer.

 

As the Judging Man, Christ is our Hiding Place (Acts 17:31). That Man who shall judge the world in righteousness is himself our Savior and our Advocate.

 

Illustration: Rowland HillŐs Dream

 

Trust Christ

 

4thBe sure that you take shelter and find refuge in this Man, who is our Hiding Place.

á      Trust Christ as your Mediator. — Hide in him!

á      Trust Christ as your Protector. — Hide in him!

á      Trust Christ as your Intercessor. — Hide in him!

á      Trust Christ as your God and King. — Hide in him!

 

Application

 

To you who have found a hiding place in Christ, I say, ŇAbide in himÓ (2 John 2:28). To you who are yet in danger of GodŐs wrath and judgment, I make this plea. — Flee to Christ! Run to this Refuge! Hide yourself in the Lord Jesus Christ!

á      He is an effectual hiding place. — Tried and Proved.

á      He is an open, accessible hiding place. — Cities of Refuge.

á      He is the only hiding place.

á      He is an abundant hiding place.

 

ŇYet there is room!Ó — As in the cave of Adullam all of DavidŐs army could hide, so all GodŐs elect hide in this Man.

á      He is an eternal hiding place.

á      He is an inviting hiding place. — He is the Man Christ Jesus!

 

(Isaiah 32:1-2) Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (2) And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

 

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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