Bible Reading: Psalm 12, 2 Pet. 2: 8-14
“Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men” – Psalm 12:1 (KJV)
We are in the era of dearth of godliness in the world. We see ungodliness proper in every area. Doing right has become an aberration, while ungodly living has become the norm. We are living in a society where righteous living is mocked and considered stupid. The society has degenerated to almost a zero level of godliness. This was what the Psalmist saw and cried out: “Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth.”
The world’s value system has depreciated terribly to the level that all that matters is riches, it does not matter how you acquired it. The insatiable hunger for wealth has led the society to an unprecedented level of criminality and moral deprivation. In this mad rush for riches the faithful fail as they make efforts to uphold moral value in a society already overtaken by excessive greed and lust. Living righteously in such a society has become an emotional strain. This was what Peter was writing in his epistle about Lot, “For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds” – 1 Peter 2:8(KJV). In a society where parents has failed woefully to set moral standards for their children but instead encourage them to partake in the depravity. How do you rationalize a mother who paid for someone to do an examination for her son in his School Certificate exams? How do you rationalize a situation where a man who stole and looted public treasury and was exposed and sentenced to jail, returned and was celebrated by the public as a hero. What moral values are we leaving behind for our children? The level of greed-induced violence in our society is taking an unprecedented dimension. A young lady who refuses to sell her body for a job may remain unemployed and be mocked by her mates who have done the ‘normal’. The business man who refuses to give bribe for a contract is mocked even by his brethren in the same church. The church that was supposed to be the custodian of moral values has become the den of thieves and criminals. It is no wonder that Jesus said in Matthew 24: 12-13( KJV): “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that endures unto the end, the same shall be saved.” However, we have a consolation in the statement of Jesus in Matthew 24: 22(KJV): “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened”.
It is my deep heart desire that the reader of this piece take time to consider his ways and return to the LORD.
Prayer: Father, please grant me the grace to run this race successfully to the end.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo