“The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;” Psalm 1:4-5
Devotion:
There exists a profound distinction between those who take delight in the law of the Lord and those who reject God. Those who absorb the Bible as a lifeline experience stability; their lives are rooted in the eternal. Conversely, those not anchored in the word of God lack lasting substance and struggle to withstand life’s storms. Moreover, even if they manage to weather this life adequately, they will inevitably falter under the judgment of God.
Chaff is akin to the husk of corn. While attached, it feels weighty, but once separated from the corn’s substance, it easily scatters with the wind. This serves as an apt metaphor for those living without the word of God. The substance of a human life is God Himself, and without Him, we become empty shells of our potential.
On the last day, during God’s judgment, none will stand except those who have trusted in Jesus and had the word of God implanted in them. While we all desire our lives to withstand the pressures of this world, the pressures of this life pale in comparison to the weight of God’s judgment. Psalm 1 paints two clear images: we can either be like strong, sturdy trees or like chaff. Ultimately, those who delight in the law of God will prosper, while the wicked will be driven away.
Prayer:
God, You are the ultimate judge. We don’t entertain the thought for a second that we could withstand Your judgment. Life’s pressures teach us that we lack the strength to hold things together, and we certainly wouldn’t expect to endure Your condemnation.
Fill our lives with Your substance. Grant us Your eternal word. Infuse us with Your lasting glory, and may we never be counted among the wicked.
So, Lord, we turn to Your Son Jesus, who is our righteousness. We rely on Your Spirit, who produces Your righteousness within us. Knowing that we deserve to be driven away with the wicked, our hope rests in the mercy You have promised. Keep us secure forever and assure our hearts that we have transitioned from judgment into life with You eternally. In Jesus’ name, we worship and pray.
Amen.
