14 DECEMBER (PREACHED 13 DECEMBER 1767)
A refuge from the floods of sin
‘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.’ Isaiah 32:2
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Nahum 1:1–15
The workings and overflowings of indwelling sin may be compared to a flood.
(i) A flood comes upon places that had been dry—where a stranger would not expect it. Frequently the power of divine things is so strong at first that corruption seems dried up—but sin, though kept down, is not slain. When these views abate, it will show itself again.
(ii) A flood is a great quantity. Sin is a great flood. The soul can say as Psalm 40:12 [For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me].
(iii) A flood is violent. Many know the resemblance here—how long and sore the conflict, and how carried quite off their feet.
FOR MEDITATION:
Though small the drops of falling rain,
Thus sinners think their evil deeds,
If one be singly viewed;
Like drops of rain, are small;
Collected, they o’erspread the plain,
But it the power of thought exceeds,
And form a mighty flood.
To count the sum of all.
The house it meets with in its course,
One sin can raise, though small it seems,
Should not be built on clay;
A flood to drown the soul;
Lest, with a resistless force,
What then, when countless million streams
It sweep the whole away.
Shall join, to swell the whole!
Though for awhile it seemed secure,
Yet, while they think the weather fair,
It will not bear the shock;
If warned, they smile or frown;
Unless it has foundations sure,
But they will tremble and despair,
And stands upon a rock.
When the fierce flood comes down!
Oh! then on JESUS ground your hope, That stone in Zion laid;
Lest your poor building quickly drop, With ruin, on your head.
SERMON SERIES: ISAIAH 32:2, NO. 2 [2/3]
Milo 