“The ungodly are not so; but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away” (Psalm 1.4.)
Introduction. And who are the ungodly? Open sinners, blasphemers, criminals, atheists? Yes, but the ungodly the Psalmist especially intends to single out are those who, though not openly guilty, are guilty of putting on a mere show of religion. If you are not born again, not made right toward God, not forgiven, then the curses in the Bible, and the one in this text, belong to you.
(1) A Fearful Negative. The words not so refer back to the previous verse. And so the ungodly are not like a tree planted. They are not pruned and cared for, but are like wild trees of the forest that have no Dresser. Yes, the ungodly are the subjects of God’s general providence, but not special. They are not specially watered and sheltered so that fruit is produced no matter what. The ungodly are not like a tree planted by the rivers of water. They have a casual thunder-cloud that passes over to drop a bit of rain, but no drinks from the fullness of Christ. When the temporary water they have dries up, what then? Only fire. The ungodly do not bring forth fruit in season. Many people imagine that they are in trouble only if they do wrong. But Meroz was cursed by God for not doing right (Judges 5.23.) Meroz would not fight for God. Are you a Meroz? Though you do not fight against God, you do nothing for him? You occupy a seat in church for years, but your inactivity shows you are not even converted. The ungodly man’s leaf shall wither. Rowland Hill was a tree that maintained green leaves till the end by preaching in old age. I have seen the ungodly spreading themselves like a green bay tree, and even envied them. But one day I passed by, and lo, there was not so much as a stump of them left. God had cursed their habitation. Christians have tribulation, yes. But whatever happens, yet their souls are prosperous. The ungodly, if he gets fat, it is for the slaughter.
(2) The Terrible Comparison. “The ungodly are like the chaff.” They are not even like a dead tree, which may be of some service. They are like what remains from the wheat at harvest, and is driven away by the wind. There is no sap of life, no fruit in chaff. A broken piece of pottery may be used by Job to scrape himself with. But chaff is good for nothing. If it is gathered at all, it is only for burning. The ungodly are like chaff. See then, your value, my hearers, if you fear not God. Maybe you think you are good for much, but God says you are good for nothing.
(3) The Awful Prophecy. “They are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” Chaff and grain grow together. How nearly related are the ungodly to the righteous! Maybe you are an ungodly man who is the father of a godly child. You have been to that child what chaff is to wheat. You have been wrapped around it, and have nourished it and cherished it. Is it not awful that you have been so close, only to be separated everlastingly? And you church-goers who are ungodly, are you content to go from the songs of the saints to the shrieks of the doomed? My mother said to me once, after she had long prayed for me, “Ah, my son, if at the last great day you are condemned, remember your mother will say amen to your condemnation.” That really stung me! But does not the wheat say amen to the chaff being blown away?
Selection from Conclusion. “Jesus Christ himself hath said it—‘he shall burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’ You die, but die not…I beseech you, think of your destiny…The wind, and after the wind the whirlwind, and after the whirlwind the fire…forever…Is sin so luscious to you that you will burn in hell forever for it? Is Christ so hard a master that you will not love him?”
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