"The ungodly are . . . like the chaff which the wind driveth away." Psalm 1:4
Chaff is a mere shadow of its former self; it is a shell, a husk - the best of it is gone. And so it is with man. As someone has said, "Man, once good wheat, has lost the kernel of all goodness - God."
Chaff is easily driven to and fro by the elements. So too the ungodly are unstable in all their ways and quickly yield to the winds of adversity and temptation.
Threshing floors in ancient times were generally situated on top of hills, or at least on high mounds of earth, so that the winds could freely do their work. When beaten with a rod and exposed to the wind, the chaff would soon be blown away, but the true grain would remain at the feet of the flailer, ready for his use. All this, in parabolic form, presents both the reactions of the wicked and of the saved in the presence of affliction. The unconsecrated soul in rebellion flies up in the face of God when it feels the sting of the rod; while the true corn falls at His feet in loving, trustful submission - ready for more acceptable service when the chastening is over.
The end of the whole matter is seen in Luke 3:17: "He will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable."
Friend, when the rod of affliction is laid upon you, do you fly up in God's face like the chaff - agitated and completely ruffled; or do you react as the more solid kernel of value, so full of faith and deep settled peace that you fall resignedly at His feet in humble worship - ready to be used as He sees fit? When the winds of adversity blow about you, it will soon be made manifest whether you are true "corn" or valueless "chaff"!
"Bread For Each Day"
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