A typical and quite ordinary building on the Prinsengracht Canal in Amsterdam has become world famous and has attracted millions of visitors. The rather dull façade hides a story which has made many weep and few who have visited this famous house, have left without their emotions stirred deeply and lasting impressions made upon them.
Anne Frank, a young Jewess, went into hiding there with her parents, sister and four other people when Nazi persecution of the Jews intensified. Her father Otto Frank had constructed what Anne called her ‘secret annexe’ which provided safety and seclusion for the family for just over two years, until their secret was cruelly and treacherously betrayed in August 1944.
A hinged bookcase concealed access to a steep, narrow staircase into the ‘hiding place.’ For twenty-five months they dare not venture outside. Then, suddenly, without warning, the unthinkable happened, the annexe was raided and Anne and her loved ones were taken to various concentration camps. It is so sad to think that just about a month before liberation by the Allied Forces in 1945, Anne died, in Belsen, after weeks of failing health and a broken heart caused by the death of her sister Margot and separation from those she had loved most.
My friend, have you a ‘hiding place?’ Have you found shelter from the judgment which must surely fall upon the unbelieving? A shelter, tried, tested and trustworthy where your security will never be under threat.
Many shelter behind good works and a moral life, having been deceived into thinking that this is all that is necessary. Others have had to confess in the words of Isaiah 28.15, “ …we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:” They are oblivious of the fact that they have to do with a God of uncompromising holiness, A “God that cannot lie” Titus 1.2, impartial and inflexibly righteous.
All too many others have sheltered behind the perfumed robes of religion, unaware that the all-seeing eyes of God penetrate their flimsy covering, detecting the sin as yet unforgiven and the loathsome disease as yet uncleansed. Isaiah 32.2 tells that “ a Man shall be as a hiding place.” Without any doubt this refers to Israel’s Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
The hymn writer, Augustus Toplady, wrote:
Rock of ages! Cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee!
On Calvary’s Cross this sinless Man, God’s Son from Heaven, exhausted the judgment due to our sins and bore its fearful penalty. “Who His own Self bare our sins in His own body on the tree,” 1 Peter 2.24. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God,” 1 Peter 3.18. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;” 1 Corinthians 15.3. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53.5
Major Andrè wrote:
On Him almighty vengeance fell
Which would have sunk the world to hell.
He bore it for a ruined race
And thus became my hiding place.
His loving arms have welcomed millions of penitent sinners who, upon trusting Him, have enjoyed the blessedness of sins forgiven and eternal security. Read John 10.28.