Hide the Outcasts
This is an amazing command. We would expect him to say, "Reform the outcasts or cast them out." But by the Spirit, the prophet goes deeper than our expectations. He saw that there was something needed before reform, namely shelter and hiding. In doing this, he strikes at the root of the difference between religion and the Gospel of Christ.
Religion says, "Let them be cleansed, and then come in."
Christ says, "Let them come in and be cleansed."
Religion says, "Wash your stains, then enter the sanctuary.”
Christ says, "Enter the sanctuary, and I will wash your stains."
Religion says, "Put on your best robe and come to the feast."
Christ says, "Come to the feast, and I will give you my best robe."
The most incomparable feature of the Lord Jesus Christ, in my mind is, His claim to be "a hiding place from the wind and a covert from the tempest." What does that mean? It means that Christ will take you in before the calm comes. He does not say, "When the weather is good, I will visit you." No. He says, "I will be an hiding place to shelter you from the wind and the rain."
Many will row out to meet me once the storm has passed. But is there no refuge for my soul in the storm? Others are looking for a sign of a good character; Christ is looking for the ship tossing on the sea. Religion, says, "When it is calm, I will take a boat and bring you in." Christ says, “I will come to you when the waves toss your boat.” He will enter your life when it is battered, bruised, and broken. He will take you up when you are disgraced, discouraged, and scorned. He will “hide the outcast.” He will hide them in Himself. Praise God!
So, I say, come out upon my ocean, O Lord, come out onto my sea! While the waters are roiling, and the waves are still high. Walk upon my waters. They are troubled. Say unto my storm, 'Peace, be still. No one else will meet me in the hurricane. Moses will not come. Sinai has no harbor for the unclean. John Baptist will not come. He cuts down all trees that bear no fruit. The voices of this world cry as one, "You have already found rest, enter into this kingdom!" But I hear a better voice that reaches my depths, "Come unto Me all ye that labor, and I will give you rest!"
Dear one let your warrant be your want,
let your claim be your cloud,
let your right be your wretchedness,
let your token of sonship be your tossing on the storm.
Many voices have offered me a home for my quiet hours, but only Christ has promised me a covert in my storm.