Psalm 1: Part III Avoiding Disaster

In our previous post, we looked at a visual for those who delight in God’s ways. Psalm 1 continues to give clarity in Verses 4-6,

“The wicked are not so…”

Let’s stop right there. Those who are dwelling in what God calls wicked – even if they’re in a culture that celebrates it – will not be like the visual of that vibrant, watered, fruit bearing tree. Those imagining they’re being nice by telling people they’re fine in any way they choose to live are actually being cruel and robbing them of this clarity we all need. Ephesians 5:6 says,

“Let no one deceive you with empty words,

for because of these things the wrath of God comes

upon the sons of disobedience.”

Now let’s look at a visual for the life of the wicked.

“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;

for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.”

They will perish. This is all of us apart from Christ. They will not stand when judged, nor be part of the congregation made righteous through Christ. Consider that tree in Verse 3. Compare that to chaff driven by the wind – death and nothingness. May we have compassion for those in ways other than God’s and speak truth. Let’s not be the wind driving the chaff through false teaching. May the hope for all of us from 1 Corinthians 6:11 penetrate our hearts,

“And such were some of you.

But you were washed,

you were sanctified,

you were justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

and by the Spirit of our God.”