The Life of The Ungodly

     “The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.” Psalm 1:4

     Here in verse 4 we see the contrast of the ungodly to the godly mentioned in verse 3. The godly are likened to trees; they are a delight and provide life-giving resources such as shade, fruit, and clean air. The ungodly are compared to chaff. Chaff is the part of wheat that has no nutritional value or any use; winnowers wait for the wind to take it away. The life of the ungodly is not without value to the Lord; He died for all. But, those who reject Him will pass away like the chaff, since good works can’t save us.

     To drive away means to disperse, thrust down, shake, and toss to and fro. The ungodly are unsteady. They are driven by pleasure and things passing away. They go after whatever makes them feel good. Matthew Henry describes them: “They are light and vain; they have no substance in them, no solidity; they are easily driven to and fro by every wind and temptation, and have no steadfastness…In general, they are the reverse of the righteous, both in character and condition…they are led by the counsel of the wicked, in the way of sinners, to the seat of the scornful; they have no delight in the law of God, nor ever think of it; they bring forth no fruit.”

Application:

     Many people have no solid foundation; truth is considered relative and ever changing, and feelings drive our generation. In a world where people are fickle, we should desire to be firmly rooted in Christ. As Christians we have the blessing of surety in both our faith and in the Truth. We each need to ask ourselves: “Is there anything in my life that is driven by my emotions and not the truth?” “Is my life firmly established in the Lord, or am I floundering from one belief to the next, never really sure about anything?” If your foundation is sinking or unstable, it’s time to commit to the Lord and build your life on the Rock of our Salvation (Matthew 7:24-27).

Prayer:

     Lord, may we have surety in You. Help us to not trust our emotions or indulge in passing pleasures. May we stand firmly rooted in You and know that in You we have purpose.