Fear and Folly # 2

Fear and Folly # 2

"I hid myself." What pride! What an endeavor to seem to be what he was not. He did not meditate a defense - but like a guilty coward, he fled! He did not sue for, or expect a pardon - for he had never heard of mercy, sweet mercy! He did not think of employing a plea - what could he plead? He felt that his sin was great; that his state was dangerous; that his prospects were gloomy; and that his destiny was a secret. What would become of him? His was the sin of the world. It was the turning of a world against God, the alienating a world from God, the exposing a world to the wrath of God!

O Adam, what, what have you done?

Well, well might he be afraid!

The crown of glory had fallen from his head; the robe of beauty was torn from his body; confidence and courage had fled from his heart; guilt and fear had taken possession of his breast.

What a fearful change! What a terrible wreck! And this is the state, the condition of every unconverted man! He is naked before God! Naked by his own fault! Naked to his eternal shame!

But is there no hope? Blessed be God - there is! Is there no possibility of being hidden from the eye of Justice, and of being once more clothed before God? Yes, yes, there is! "Behold, I bring you good news, glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." There is no ground for despondency, nor cause to fear; no occasion to try to hide yourself, either behind trees, or under rocks and mountains.

God will hide those who do not attempt to hide from Him. He has provided a hiding-place for sinners, and that hiding-place is His own beloved Son. All other hiding-places shall be destroyed, as it is written, "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding-place!" (Isaiah 28:17).

Only one shelter remains, "A man shall be a hiding-place! (Isaiah 32:2). That man is Jesus - the spotless Lamb of God. This is the Stronghold - to which the prisoners of hope are directed. This is the Strong Tower - into which we may run and be safe. In Jesus there is no condemnation. In Jesus the sinner finds all that he needs!

His filthy nature will be cleansed, in purifying blood. His naked soul will be clothed with righteousness divine. A title to eternal life will be given him. A fitness for life will be wrought in him. All guilt will be removed from the conscience. All slavish fear will be chased from the heart. he will neither be afraid nor ashamed to appear before God.

Paradise was lost by sin; but Heaven is gained, by faith in Jesus. O blessed, thrice blessed hiding-place for a sinner!

Are you, reader, in this hiding-place? In Christ - every blessing is yours. Out of Christ - the wrath of God abides on you.

Many, it is to be feared, will yet be as foolish as Adam was. They will try to hide themselves from God, or at least to cover and conceal their nakedness by some fig leaves of their own. But "There is no darkness, no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves!" (Job 34:22).

It will be all in vain to cry "to the mountains and the rocks - fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Revelation 6:16).

If you are not hiding yourself in Christ, God puts to you this solemn question, "Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:24).

Lost sinner! The storm is gathering, the distant thunder is rolling, the lightnings begin to flash! To the refuge - to the refuge - to the hiding-place without delay! Soon Almighty God will rain down snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest. Soon you will see the great white throne fixed, and will be summoned to appear before it, for the day of vengeance is in His heart! Think, O Think of one passage, which will soon be a fearful reality to you, "The great day of His wrath has come! And who is able to stand?"

~James Smith~

(The End)