Which have their portion in this life.
The uncertainty of worldly prosperity
Like many other passages (such as Job 21:7-13; Psalms 73:12), these verses clearly show how little “the old Fathers looked,” or indeed could have looked, “only for transitory promises.” While they held, and rightly held, that under the general law of God’s providence happiness should follow obedience to the will of Him who made and guides all things, they yet recognised the disturbing influence of evil in the world, through which the unrighteous prosper, having to the full the only portion they care for (comp. Matthew 6:2-5; Luke 16:25), leaving wealth and fame to their children. At times this was to them a sore trial of faith (Psalms 73:3), sorer than to us who have the clear vision of the future life. But they felt that far above this outward prosperity was that which the worldly cannot have, the communion with God, in itself the eternal life of the soul. The sense of Psalms 17:15 cannot be doubtful. David knows that now “he shall behold the presence of God in righteousness,” and in it have the higher spiritual life. Therefore (as in Psalms 16:9-10) he draws the inference which our Lord Himself justifies, that death cannot break the tie of this communion; therefore that he shall awake in the image of God, and, so awaking, shall be “satisfied with it,” possessing it in the fulness which on earth he can only desire and long for (comp. 1 John 3:1-2). All other explanations than this sin against the whole spirit of the passage, and could never have been thought of except to support the false conclusion that, because the knowledge of a future life in heaven was not unchequed, by doubt in the saints of old, therefore it had no flashes of brightness and reality. (Alfred Barry, D. D.)
The worldly man’s portion
The world is at total enmity with God. Its spirit, maxims, and pursuits are at utter variance with the laws and spirit of God.
I. Describe the character. Among the signs and marks is--
1. Unregeneracy.
2. They are distinguished for worldly principles.
3. Their maxims are worldly.
4. They are distinguished by their associations;
5. By the unvarying tenor of their pursuits;
6. By their worldly affections and delights.
II. The portion the world confers upon them. They do not serve the world for nought. The chief reason why it does not satisfy is--
1. Because it is unsuitable. The ethereal mind must have ethereal enjoyments. The soul was made for God and spiritual things.
2. This portion is only a present one.
3. It is uncertain.
4. It is a ruinous portion. If a man will make the world his portion he cannot have Christ’s salvation, God’s favour, or eternal life. (J. Burns, D. D.)
Men who flourish on carrion
There was a famine in the land. All birds and beasts, with the exception of the crows and vultures, and a few others of a similar species, looked ravenous and emaciated. Even the lion lay before his den so reduced by starvation as to be unable to hunt. A giraffe with drooping head ventured to approach him. “Sire,” said he, “have you observed the full crops and plump appearance of yonder vultures? Can you tell us the secret of their prosperity in these hard times?” The lion groaned, “It is as great a mystery to me as to you. But see! an eagle approaches this way, pray ask his opinion.” The eagle willingly stopped in his weary flight. And in reply to their question simply said, “I know their secret, but I mistake you, indeed, if you will be the happier for hearing it. If you would flourish as they flourish, you must bring your mind to eat carrion, and plenty of it.” (Andrew Griffen.)
Men who have their portion in this life
I have seen men so carried away with the game of chance into which they have plunged on shipboard that they quite forgot the goal for which the ship was shaping. They would scarcely lift their head a moment to look for land and port and home. Never suffer yourself to be swept along the tide of rushing years like the dumb creatures packed into cattle ships. Some men are hurried on to the goal without any thought or care for what is before them, and land upon an anathema which can never be reversed. (T. G. Selby.)
The disappointment of men who seek satisfaction in earthly treasure
Meditating at a window, in a sort of daydream, a fly continued to pass before me. Mechanically I sought to catch it. I put my finger quickly to the pane, but the fly was gone. I followed it and clapped my hand on the very spot it occupied, but I had not taken it. Yet there it was just under my hand. Why had I failed? Excellent reason, the insect was on the other side of the glass. Ye sons of men who seek pleasure in the things of this world, ye must miss it; even when it seems within your grasp ye cannot reach it. Happiness is not to be found on your side of Christ and the new birth, except in seeming. Ye are victims of a delusion, your chase is vanity, your end will be disappointment. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The city youth
To every young man there comes sooner or later the brief but startling message, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee.” You cannot always abide in the house of your childhood, But such a call to go forth is very serious. A thoughtful young fellow, who is in a house of business in the city, comes to me for a little conversation; he tells me of his religious difficulties, of his inward conflicts and his desire to live a Christian life; and ere we part I say to him, “Now, how many in your establishment seem to be at all seriously inclined?” How many in that huge drapery business? How many in that bank? How many in that workshop? Ten to one his reply is, “There is just one I know of that is a real Christian”; or, “Just two or three that take any interest in these things.” It is the old story, “Few there be that find it.” Now I ask you, “To which group do you wish to belong?” If to the men of the world, I don’t know what brought you here, nor have I any message for you; but if to the men of God, then I want to speak to you. Now, by “the men of the world” is not meant merely a shrewd, sagacious person, but one who is a mere earthworm, sinful, sordid, and greedy of gain, whose only thought is to make money and feather his nest well. Think--
I. Of these men of the world and their portion. It is a great mistake to think that as soon as you are purse rich you will be heart rich. There is many a Midas in this city today, at whose touch everything seems to turn into gold, who would frankly tell you he had a far lighter heart when, as a young clerk, he was earning £60 or £80 a year. The wealthy Sir Charles Flower only spoke for many a rich man like himself when, to a beggar who asked him for money to get a piece of bread, he said, “I would gladly give you a sovereign if you would give me your appetite.” Riches do make happy; but it is not the riches of the pocket, but the riches of the mind and heart. The riches of taste, of culture, of affection, and, above all, the riches of God’s grace. But men do not believe this. They hear it said, and then seek after riches as if riches were everything and the Bible all untrue. But let such remember that after all, let them gain what they may, it is only “a portion for this life.” Not a farthing can you take to the other side of the grave. It will be with you as with the partridge (Jeremiah 17:11). Men of the world, go you over your portion and tick off each particular, and say, “This, this, this, must be loft behind. Lord Chesterfield said, I have run the silly rounds of business and of pleasure, and I have done with them all. I look back on all that is past as one of those romantic dreams which opium produces, and I have no wish to repeat the nauseous dose.” Yes, “a portion in this life” is but a poor unsatisfying portion at the best.
II. The contrast: the man of God and his portion. “As for me,” says David in the next verse, “I will behold Thy face,” etc. He speaks of himself as quite an exception, a rare case amid the common throng. But these are the happiest men after all. David’s heart was set on God. “The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance. I have a goodly heritage.” He meant that not one of them was so happy as he. See David’s secret of happiness.
1. “I will behold Thy face in righteousness.” Yes, the first secret of a happy life is to get right with God. I know many of you feel this to be true. Then surrender yourselves to Him now. It will introduce us to a new and most blessed experience, As that thoughtful and devout French believer, Lacordaire, wrote, speaking of his own conversion, “He who has never known such a time has not fully realised life. Once a real Christian, the world did not vanish before my eyes; it rather assumed nobler proportions, as I myself did. I began to see therein a sufferer needing help; a mighty misfortune resulting from all the sorrows of ages past and to come: and I could imagine nothing comparable to the happiness of ministering to it, with the help of the Cross and the Gospel of Christ.”
2. “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” No doubt the notion of the resurrection is mainly meant here. But we may take the awaking as telling of each morning’s awakening, and of a prospect which will satisfy your soul. Oh, tell me, have your eyelids ever opened with the earthly dawn, and found you saying, with the first moments of returning consciousness, “I am satisfied”? Rather, have not care, and depression, and a feeling of life’s monotony weighed down your own spirit, as another day called you forth to its duty and routine? Ah, you want something nobler than the prospect of gain to give a sparkle and a beauty to life, and to make the heart truly glad; and that nobler thing is the prospect of being like God. This is the prospect that cheers a true Christian, “We know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (J. Thain Davidson, D. D.)
Men of the world
David prays to be delivered from the Wicked, that he might not fall under their power, nor be numbered with them as “men of the world which have,” etc. Now note--
I. Wicked men may have a large portion in this life. God deals thus with them--
1. To prove the extent and kindness of His providence;
2. And that judgment is His strange work, and how disingenuous is the conduct of the wicked whom He daily loadeth with benefits.
3. Wicked men, in the hand of Providence, may do some services for God or His people, and for this He will bless them (Ezekiel 29:18-19; 2 Kings 10:30).
4. Because they choose their portion here and He lets them take it, and therein all they shall have.
5. For judgment, since wealth will surely corrupt them yet more.
6. To instruct the righteous--
(1) In the evil of their own hearts, that they cannot trust them: they will promise and vow what they will do if they become, rich, but they never, do it.
(2) How little value the things of the world are in God’s sight, for God gives them often plentifully to His enemies.
(3) That our present condition is no true prophecy of our future. Neither when we are rich or poor.
(4) That there is something far better for them. They “shall behold God’s face,” etc.
(5) That they must belike God, who does good to His enemies and them that hate Him (Matthew 5:44-45).
II. Living and dying, what the wicked have here is their all.
1. By their choice, they think this world best.
2. Their names are therefore written in earth as limited to it.
3. They are only fit for a portion in this life; and
4. They have abused their portion here, and shall never be tried with any other.
5. They are not the children of God by faith in Christ.
6. Having desired no more than the world, there is no more for them: only misery.
III. Upon what accounts their condition may be said to be miserable. It is so because--
1. They hold their portion by so uncertain a tenure.
2. Without the added joy of the love of God.
3. And without Christ.
4. Without foundation for solid peace and comfort. For their sins are unpardoned; conscience alarms; the secret arm of God is on them (Deuteronomy 28:17). Then
5. Their prosperity tends to their destruction, leading them to forgetfulness both of God and heaven.
6. And will be succeeded by such awful misery.
IV. Whence is it that saints reckon it to be so? Because--
1. They have found the world to be vanity and vexation of spirit.
2. And they see the end of all things approaching. But
3. They look by faith to another and over-enduring world.
Application:
1. With what certainty may we infer a day of judgment from the wicked having now so large a share of outward good, whilst some of the heirs of heaven have scarce where to lay their heads.
2. They reckon without looking to the end who envy the men of the world (Psalms 73:18).
3. What reason have we to pity those on whom Christ’s words will fall in their full weight (Luke 6:24). (D. Wilcox.)