The Safe Retreat
’ A man sfiall be as an hiding-place from the “wind, and covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place; us the shadow of a great rock in a “weary land.’’ — Isa. xxxii. 2.
“A Man!” This first word forms tliG key to this precious verse, It is “The Man Christ Jesus!”
And when and where is He thus revealed to Ilis people as their hiding-place?” It is, as with Elijah of old, in the whirlwind and the storm I Amid the world’s bright sunshine, in the calm of tranquil skies — uninterrupted prosperity — they seek Him not! But when the clouds begin to gather, and the sun is swept from their firmament; when they have learned the insecurity of all earthly refuges, then the prayer ascends, My heart ii :,verwhelmedj lead me to the ROCK that is higher than 7.” The Earthquake — the Tempest — the Fire- -and then ‘Hhe still small voice I”
Sorrowing believer, you Lave indeed a Sure Covert — a Strong Tower wliicli can not bo shaken I The World has its coverts too. But they can not stand the day of trial. The wind passeth over them, and they are gone! But the louder the hurricane, the more will it endear to you the abiding Shelter; the deeper in the clefts of this Rock, the safer you are.
A Man! Delight often to dwell on the Ilamanity of Jesus — you have a Brother on the Throne! a “living Kinsman;” — One who “knoweth your frame;” and who, by the exquisite sympathies of His exalted Human Nature, can gauge, as none other can, the depths of your sorrow.
An earthly friend comes to you in trial; he has never known Bereavement, and therefore can not enter into your woe. Another comes; he has been again and again in the Furnace; his heart has been touched tenderly as your own; he can feelingly sympathize with you It is so with Jesus. As Man He has passed through every experience of suffering. He has H’raself known the storm from which Ho offers you shelter. He is the Rock, yet “a Man!” “Mighty to save;” yet mighty to compassionate I “Immanuel,” God with us /” He is like the Bow in the Material Heavens, which, while its summit is in the clouds, eithei base of its arc rests on earth; or like the Oak. which, while it can wrestle with the tempest, yet invites the feeblest bird to fold its wing on its branches!
Mourner I Go sit under thy “Beloved’s shadow with great delight.” Hide in His wounded side! The hand which pierced thee is ordering thy trials; He who roused the storm is the hiding»place from it; — and as thou dost journey on — gloomy clouds mustering around thee — let this bright Bow of comfort ever arrest thy drooping eye — ^’ In all things it hehoved Him to he made like unto His brethren. * * * .Por in that He Himself hath suffered, heing tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.’’’’