A threefold religious emblem; of the shelter of the rock.
I. AN EMBLEM OF THE SINNER'S MISERABLE CONDITION.
1. Exposed to a storm. Like the unhappy victims of tyrannical oppression, men, in their unconverted state, are liable to be overtaken by the tempest of God's righteous wrath and indignation against sin (Psalms 11:6; Romans 1:18; Colossians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 6:16, Revelation 6:17), which will not assail the body merely, but destroy both soul and body in hell (Luke 12:5), and that for ever.
2. Destitute of shelter. Like the houseless and homeless wanderers among the mountains, unpardoned souls are without a refuge to which they can betake themselves in the day of their calamity. Driven forth from the place of safety in which they originally stood, they have now "no covering in the cold," no garment of righteousness in which they can wrap their trembling spirits. Nor can they by any wisdom, wealth, or labour of their own construct or discover for themselves a habitation and defence against the storm.
II. AN EMBLEM OF THE GREAT SALVATION OFFERED IN THE GOSPEL. As the shivering outcasts crept into the rocky caves on the mountain-side, so Christ has been set forth as a Rock and a Hiding-place (Isaiah 32:2).
1. Accessible by all; the approach to him being hindered by no formidable barriers, and no stupendous effort being required to reach his side (Romans 10:6), nothing beyond a simple exercise of faith which is within the ability of even a child.
2. Sufficient for all; there being room enough in Christ for all who come to him in faith (Luke 14:22), yea, for the entire world of mankind (Isaiah 45:22; John 3:16), if only they sincerely come to him; and perfect safety and protection for all who gain its shelter, complete defence against the charges of the Law, the accusations of conscience, the penalties of sin, the terrors of death, and of the wrath to come (Romans 5:1).
3. Free to all; every one who seeks his presence and assistance being accorded a welcome, without money and without price.
"All the fitness he requireth
Is to feel our need of him."
III. AN EMBLEM OF THE ACT OF SAVING FAITH. As the miserable victims of the strong man's oppression embraced the rock for a shelter, so must needy sinners embrace Christ the Rock.
1. With personal application; Christ being of no more use to a sinner without individual appropriation than the mountain rock would have been to those who did not cling to it. Faith is the hand that lays hold of and embraces Christ as he is exhibited in the gospel.
2. With fervent gratitude; giving thanks to God for his abundant mercy in providing such a shelter for the soul, as no doubt the poor creatures whom the mountain-storms drenched were grateful for even the protection of a cave.
3. With immediate action; allowing no delay to prevent the soul from fleeing from the storm of impending wrath to the hope set before it in the gospel.