The Hiding Place by James Smith

A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a refuge from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shade of a massive rock in an arid land. Isaiah 32, 2.

The present world is like a bleak and cheerless desert. The climate is very changeable and we are exposed to piercing, cutting winds. Sometimes dangerous errors, sometimes deep afflictions, sometimes soul-distressing trials, like violent winds, blow upon us and fill us with alarm and dread. At such times, a hiding place is necessary.

Jesus is our hiding place. He will hide us from the wrath of God, the rage of hell, and the injurious effects of trials and troubles. Beloved, are you in this hiding place? If so, abide in it, for nowhere else will you find such safety or enjoy such repose.

Hail sovereign love which first began,
The scheme to rescue fallen man!
Hail matchless free eternal grace,
Which gave my soul a hiding-place!

Against the God who rules the sky,
I fought with hand uplifted high,
Despise the notion of his grace,
Too proud to seek a hiding-place.

Enwrapped in thick Egyptian night,

And fond of darkness more than light,

Madly I ran the sinful race,

Secure without a hiding-place.

But thus the eternal counsel ran,

Almighty love, arrest that man!

I felt the arrows of distress,
And found I had no hiding-place.

Indignant justice stood in view,
To Sinai's fiery mount I flew,
But justice cried with frowning face,

This mountain is no hiding-place.

Ere long a heavenly voice I heard,
And mercy's angel soon appeared,

He led me on with gentle pace,
To Jesus as my hiding-place.

Should sevenfold storms of thunder roll,
And shake the earth from pole to pole,
No thunderbolt could daunt my face,
For Jesus is my hiding-place.

On Him almighty vengeance fell,
That would have sunk a world to hell,
He bore it for the chosen race,
And thus became their hiding-place.

A few more rolling suns at most
Shall land me on fair Canaan's coast,
Where I shall sing the song of grace,

And see my glorious hiding-place.

Hail, sovereign love, which first began
This scheme to rescue fallen men
Hail, sovereign, free, eternal grace
Which gave my soul a hiding place

Against the God who ruled the sky
I fought with and uplifted
Did I despise the mention of His grace,
Too proud to seek a hiding place?

Enwrapped in thick Egyptian night And fond of darkness more than light Madly I ran the sinful race Secure without a hiding place

But thus the eternal counsel ran Almighty love, arrest that I felt the arrows of distress and found
I had no hiding place

indignant justice stood in view to Sinai's fiery mouth I flew
but justice cried with frowning face this mountain is no hiding place

Every voice I heard and mercy's angel soon appeared. He led me on with gentle pace to Jesus as my hiding place.

Should seven cold storms of thunder roll,
And shake this earth from pole to pole,
No thunderbolt shall dot my face,
With Jesus as my hiding place. A few more rolling suns at most
Shall land me safe on Canaan's coast
Where I shall sing the song of grace And see my glorious hiding place