Scripture
Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
— Psalm 26:9 (ESV)
Devotional
Fear made David pray thus, for something whispered, “Perhaps, after all, thou mayst be gathered with the wicked.” That fear, although marred by unbelief, springs, in the main, from holy anxiety, arising from the recollection of past sin. Even the pardoned man will enquire, “What if at the end my sins should be remembered, and I should be left out of the catalogue of the saved?” He recollects his present unfruitfulness–so little grace, so little love, so little holiness, and looking forward to the future, he considers his weakness and the many temptations which beset him, and he fears that he may fall, and become a prey to the enemy. A sense of sin and present evil, and his prevailing corruptions, compel him to pray, in fear and trembling, “Gather not my soul with sinners.” Reader, if you have prayed this prayer, and if your character be rightly described in the Psalm from which it is taken, you need not be afraid that you shall be gathered with sinners. Have you the two virtues which David had–the outward walking in integrity, and the inward trusting in the Lord? Are you resting upon Christ’s sacrifice, and can you compass the altar of God with humble hope? If so, rest assured, with the wicked you never shall be gathered, for that calamity is impossible. The gathering at the judgment is like to like. “Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” If, then, thou art like God’s people, thou shalt be with God’s people. You cannot be gathered with the wicked, for you are too dearly bought. Redeemed by the blood of Christ, you are his forever, and where he is, there must his people be. You are loved too much to be cast away with reprobates. Shall one dear to Christ perish? Impossible! Hell cannot hold thee! Heaven claims thee! Trust in thy Surety and fear not!
Reflection
Holy fear can ask the question. Gospel blood answers it. If you walk in integrity and trust in the Lord—if you rest on Christ’s sacrifice and compass His altar with humble hope—you will not be bundled with the tares. You are too dearly bought. Hell cannot hold what heaven claims. The gathering at the judgment is like to like. Trust your Surety. The fear that drove you to pray is not proof you are lost; it may be the Spirit keeping you awake to grace.
Goad
Are you still treating “What if I am gathered with sinners?” as a verdict tonight, instead of as a push back to the altar of Christ’s finished work?
Tie-In
Morning said He rejoices to do you good. Evening says He will not sweep you away with the bloodthirsty. The same love that sings over you also keeps you for the wheat barn.
Closing
Spurgeon’s classic text with a brief reflection to help today’s reader.
If these words have stirred something, sit with it.
NewGrapes Ministries. Making disciples, not pew-fillers. Soli Deo Gloria.