The calm of the ocean surface was momentarily disturbed by a large splash marking where the scuba diver had plunged overboard. Air bubbles trailing from oxygen tanks marked his descent into the beautiful marine world which appeared so peaceful and inviting. Suspended in pristine depths, gravity exerted noticeably less influence on him, producing a pleasant sense of freedom from its restrictive grip.
As he took photographs, a school of small, beautifully colored, inquisitive fish circled nearby. All was peaceful and serene. Then, as if responding to an unseen warning alarm, the school of fish suddenly disappeared. Though the noise of hissing air bubbles remained constant, the sudden disappearance of the fish seemed to trigger an ominous silence, more sensed than heard, in the undersea world.
The source of these sinister changes became all too apparent as a large, menacing shadow rapidly approached the scuba diver. Materializing into the form of a 9-foot tiger shark, the creature’s intention was obvious, as it swam in ever-decreasing circles around him, its vicious mouth agape.
Without warning, it struck. Then with increasing fury, it struck again and again. Yet during these violent attacks, the diver calmly continued to photograph the event, safe and unharmed. The reason for his safety from these deadly assaults was that he remained in a box. Knowing that he was diving in shark-infested waters, he had entered a specially constructed box made of strong metal bars. As long as he remained inside the diving cage, he was safe from vicious outside attacks of undersea predators such as the tiger shark.
Would we not think it very strange—indeed, would it not be the height of folly—if the diver were to have refused the safety of that box? How senseless, for the sake of feeling liberated, to give up its safe, confined environs, willingly exposing himself to life-threatening dangers outside its fortification.
Old Testament Examples
The wisdom of believers remaining in a morally safe atmosphere is seen continually throughout the Word of God, in principle. Let us briefly consider some examples “for our learning” (Rom. 15:4).
What awful folly—what sinful folly, we may say—it would have been, had Noah and his family refused to enter the confining spaces of that box. The ark was meant to protect them from the judgment that fell upon the anti-deluvian world (Gen. 6). When the fountains of the great deep were broken up and the windows of heaven were opened (Gen. 7:11), who then was truly free and liberated? Those inside or those outside?
What would have happened to the infant Moses if his parents had reasoned that their child’s freedom and liberty was more important than the restricting influences of that little box—the ark—which his mother faithfully prepared (Ex. 2:3)?
Let us ask further if the Israelites displayed a complaining spirit regarding the confining limits of that dry path through the Red Sea with its towering walls of water rising around and above them, as they escaped from the pursuing Egyptian army? Consider again this solemn question as we view—along with the children of Israel—the bodies of the Egyptian soldiers lying dead on the seashore: Who were the truly free and liberated ones (Ex. 14:30)?
In 1 Kings 2 we see the tragic result of one who refused to remain in the safety of a restricted atmosphere. Shimei, who had wickedly cursed David when he fled from Absalom (2 Sam. 16:5), was shown great grace and forgiveness by the king (1 Kings 2:8).
But Shimei’s life depended on his remaining in what might have seemed a very confining environment, for Solomon instructed him, “Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither. For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die” (1 Kings 2:36-37).
Sadly, self-willed Shimei disregarded the king’s warning, and he died as a result of his refusal to remain inside the safety of Jerusalem’s walls—for him truly a city of refuge (1 Kings 2:46).
New Testament Examples
We find similar examples in the New Testament. Ponder the account of Paul’s voyage to Rome in Acts 27. He had warned the centurion who was responsible for the safe conduct of the prisoners to Italy not to leave the safe though unappealing harbor of Fair Havens (vss. 8-11). Sadly, the master and the owner of the vessel—as well as the rest on board the ship—agreed that Phenice was a more liberated and pleasant place in which to pass the dull dreariness of the approaching winter. So, disregarding Paul’s warnings, they left the confined safety of Fair Havens desiring greater freedom. In a very short time, however, the coveted liberty was swept away by the violent “tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon” (Acts 27:14).
No doubt the much desired freedom and liberty they attempted to gain were esteemed of little worth when, after many days “neither sun nor stars . . . appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away” (Acts 27:20). We can well imagine that those on board would then have gladly exchanged their stormy search for freedom, for Fair Havens’ security.
The Assembly As a “Box”
In Luke 22 the Lord gathered His beloved disciples in the large upper room (Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12) where He instituted His remembrance feast. Only those inside heard those precious words: “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. . . . This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. . . . This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you.”
Later, after His resurrection, the disciples, motivated by fear, met together within another room—one with the doors shut (John 20:19). Yet when He came within among them, all fear was removed, for He showed them His hands and His side. It was then they found joy and peace inside that enclosed room—a freedom and liberty that Thomas could not enjoy until he too was gathered inside.
Today the Spirit gathers believers to the name of the Lord Jesus, where He promises to be in their midst (Matt. 18:20). What a scene of joy—to be gathered together in Christ’s blessed presence! What a place of safety—to be within where the Spirit of God has liberty to present divine truth—truth that preserves from the subtle traps of Satan and the stormy shipwrecks of life.
The Little City and the Inn
Within that besieged little city was a poor, wise man who by his wisdom delivered those few that remained with him inside its walls (Eccl. 9:15). Inside was peace and safety; outside, certain death.
Oh! that we may remain inside (the assembly)—with however few there may be—never forgetting that that blessed poor, wise man, our Lord Jesus Christ, who “loved the church [assembly], and gave Himself for it” (Eph. 5:25), is there in the midst. He who has done nothing amiss is the Son who has made us free indeed. True freedom can’t be found elsewhere.
If, as the disciples of old, looking round about we see no man any more, save Jesus only with ourselves (Mark 9:8), then that which to natural sight appears as a restricted, unappealing box will in reality be found a safe, sweet inn providing wonderful liberty, joy, peace, care and healing for our souls.
Ed.