Contrasted Congregations

“Take ye the sum of all the congregation” (Numbers 1:2).  “Blessed is the man… like a tree... The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand… in the congregation of the righteous” (Psalm 1:1-5).  “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20).  “He will… gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12). 

The Lord has numbered all His own;

The saved are in His congregation.

The final sum to Him is known

Of those who trust Him for salvation. 

How great the contrast thus reflected: 

The chaff are those God must condemn,

Portraying those who have rejected

The Lord who tasted death for them. 

The gulf between these two is vast: 

It stretches for eternity!

The lost are like the chaff at last;

The saved are like fruitful tree. 

The lost shall stand before the Lord

Whom they refused to take as Savior. 

The grace they wilfully ignored

Shall nevermore extend His favor. 

The wise are walking with the wise

Who, with them,  love the Lord as well. 

The lost are satisfied with lies

Which pave the road that leads to hell. 

The great deception fools enjoy

Is only posing as their friend. 

The thief will steal, kill, destroy,

And then will mock them in the end.   

The Lord returns!  He shall not fail,  

Though Satan’s armies will oppose. 

Remember they did not prevail

When Christ, as promised, then arose! 

He’ll gather then His own as wheat

And drive His enemies as chaff.

His foes shall be beneath His feet;

His sheep He’ll comfort with His staff. 

O Lord, the contrast is so great

Between these congregations seen! 

By grace alone You separate

The congregation You made clean. 

Lord, help us reach those who are lost

That they may find salvation’s path,

By showing them You paid the cost

To save our souls from coming wrath.

We thank You, Lord, for thus providing

This congregation saved by grace! 

In You, Lord Jesus, we are hiding:

There is no other Hiding Place!