“Help, Lord, for the Godly man ceases—for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”
Psalm 12:1
Although evil seems to escalate on every hand, never forget there’s One Who said “I’ll never leave you or forsake you” (Heb. 13:5b).
Nowadays it would seem the number of the “faithful” grows smaller and smaller. Like Elijah, we sit down, spend some time in reflecting and before you know it we’re moaning, “I’m the only one left” (I Kings 19:4, 10; cf. Ps. 142:4).
That’s certainly the way David felt when he penned today’s Manna. Perhaps this is one of those somber, sorrowful songs he wrote while on the run from King Saul or his own son, Absalom. Or, maybe he was just having one of those “melancholy mist moments” that settles in on the soul like a heavy fog.
But, at least he knew what to do by crying out “Help, Lord.”
Too often we forget to do that while looking around at the condition of the world, the condition of our homes, our churches, yea, even our own lives, etc. And, in reality, our assessment of things is probably not as skewed as we think—for the Bible is clear when it talks about the condition of “the last days” (Mt. 24-25; II Tim. 3:1-9, 12-13; II Pet. 2:1-3:7; Jude).
Yet, even then, we must not allow the evil one to fulfill his mission of “stealing, killing and destroying” (Jn. 10:10b) in our lives—especially if we are truly “more than conquerors through Him Who loved us” (Rom. 8:37) and “greater is He that’s within us than he that’s in the world” (I Jn. 4:4). Hallelujah!!
Let’s face it:
In every generation there have always been those who “loved darkness more than light” (Jn. 3:17-21). There have always been those who “speak vanity every one with his neighbors; with flattering lips and a double heart do they speak” (Ps. 12:2). With impunity, conceit and contempt, they mock “Who is lord over us? Our lips (and lives) are our own and we shall prevail. Who’s going to stop us?” (v.4)
But, do not fear, Pilgrim.
The Lord is writing it all down and the time will come when the One in Heaven “shall laugh and have them in derision” (Ps. 2:4). In His “wrath and sore displeasure He shall speak and break them with a rod of iron, dashing them down to the ground and breaking them into pieces as one would a potter’s clay pot” (Ps. 2:5, 9). And, even though for now they “prosper in this world . . .are not troubled like other folks. . .wear pride around their neck like a gold chain. . . have more than their heart could desire. . .continually shake their fist at Heaven and cry ‘How does God know?’, etc.” (Ps. 73:3-11). . .the time will come when they’ll be “cast down into destruction, brought into desolation and utterly consumed with terrors” (vv.18-19).
So, take heart, weary one, and press on (Phil. 3:13-14). Find comfort in Christ’s Presence and His Promises (Ps. 12:5-7). And, look forward to that blessed Day when the Lord Jesus shall appear and welcome Home all those who love Him and long for His appearing. Glory!!
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated July 30, 2010
