Text: Isaiah 32:2 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.
Introduction: In his fallen state man is in need of a refuge; a hiding place to shelter him from the wrath and judgment of Almighty God. Where can he go to find such a place of refuge? Can he find it anywhere except Jesus? A thousand times no is the answer. In speaking of Jesus, the great Charles Wesley wrote in his hymn, “Jesus lover of my soul”, “other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on thee”. There is no other refuge for the soul except Jesus! He is our blessed living refuge.
By God’s marvelous help, we would like to consider “Jesus our refuge” today. I pray that as you join me in this consideration that God, our wonderful father, will bless you immeasurably.
I. Consider the Divine Person of our refuge. (Vv.2a)
…And a man shall be…
We have not taken refuge in some cold lifeless cave; we have taken refuge in a man. This is no ordinary man however; this man is the Son of God. This man was human, yet divine. This man was sinless, yet accursed. This man was the beloved of God, yet smitten by God. This man was the greatest man to ever have walked the earth, and his name was Jesus. He is the believer’s refuge.
Let us consider just a few facets of Jesus’ nature for a moment:
A. Consider His Human nature.
In order to be a sufficient savior he had to be near of kin to us. He had to know all about our nature as human beings intimately.
B. Consider His Heavenly nature.
In order to save us He had to be more than just a mere mortal human being. He had to be of heavenly origin, and He is. He is the very Son of God; separate from God the father in function, yet equal with God the Father in deity and power.
C. Consider His Humble nature.
As God was it not hard for him to step off the throne of glory and take upon himself the form of sinful flesh? Did God the father have to make him die on our behalf? The answer is found in Philipians 2:8. There we read that He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
II. Consider the Delightful Provisions of our refuge. (Vv. 2b)
…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.
Think with me for a moment about the various provisions that we have been given in our living refuge, the Lord Jesus Christ.
We have been given:
A. The provision of Salvation in our refuge.
He is our hiding place. Outside of Christ all of our sins lay open and bare for the eyes of God to behold. However, when you are saved you are hidden in Christ, and your sins are washed away. Now when God the Father looks upon you all He sees is His darling Son.
B. The provision of Satisfaction in our refuge.
He alone can satisfy the hungering and thirsting of the soul. He is “as rivers of water in a dry place” to the soul who is searching for lasting satisfaction.
C. The provision of Shelter in our refuge.
He is “as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land”. This shadow is not like the shadow provided by Jonah’s gourd that only gave a temporary relief. The shadow of this rock will follow you while you journey through this life, just as it did the children of Israel in the wilderness (I Corinthians 10:4). When the heat of life is seemingly unbearable remember to abide in the shadow of your great rock, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: Have you fled for refuge in the Lord Jesus Christ? If not I pray that you do, for He is the only place that you can find refuge from the wrath of God that will one day be poured out upon you. Your soul is helplessly hung upon Christ as your refuge. Would you flee to him if you have not already? In Him you will find all that you will ever need.
