Message summary: Thank God for men who remain faithful followers of Jesus Christ in our own day. But we feel the same as David as we see the conditions of our world, "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be. For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men" (Psalm 12:1).

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A relatively obscure song recorded by the Gospel group “Truth” is titled “God Is In Control”. It speaks of reassurance as I listen carefully to the words. The beginning of the song has a line that could surely be inspired by reading the daily headline news:

This coming Sunday is Father's day here in the US, a day when fatherhood is honored. Today's message is a special call to men. Given the great apostasy (falling away) we are in the midst of, we have an observation similar to the Psalmist in our daily text, "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be. For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men" (Psalm 12:1).

"Help, Lord." David's observation of the men during this period in his life led him to cry out to God for help. His troubled observation was that the "godly man ceases to be". David grew up during a time of great moral and spiritual apostasy. Certainly Saul's reign was not marked by spiritual revival or consistent obedience to God. It transitioned from the period of the Judges, which is summed up with the phrase "each man did what was right in his own eyes". However there was a remnant of God's faithful followers during this period such as the prophet Samuel.

Thank God for men who remain faithful followers of Jesus Christ in our own day. *


Today's second verse is a great truth for all readers to memorize. We all deal with different temptations and various struggles in life as we seek to remain faithful to Christ. The believers addressed in Hebrews were facing persecution and were tempted to go back to their old way of life. Perhaps part of the temptation was that in doing so their persecutions might ease. There are many believers today under similar circumstances.

But going back to the old way of life remains a temptation in varying degrees for all believers, though for different reasons. For many readers it may be the busyness of life, affluence, the persistent barrage of godless, secular teaching and other issues we confront daily, including the unbelief that might exist within our own family. These and other matters may lull us into complacency or seek to pull us back into the world.

Many who bear a heavy load, as they overcome the consequences of many years of disobedience to God, could be tempted to simply give up. It may be tobacco, drug or alcohol abuse, sexual immorality, anger, rage, resentment, or indebtedness due to wasteful spending. Turning to Christ does not immediately negate the long-term consequences of these past sins or present unchecked attitudes. Though some receive miraculous behavioral, attitudinal, and even physical deliverances, many will endure weaknesses and temptations that require diligent prayer and a lifetime of overcoming.

The enemy of our soul persistently pesters us to give up. "What's the use?" might consume our thoughts, dim our vision and overshadow powerful verses such as "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up" (Galatians 6:9). We may be tempted to just throw away our confidence and simply give up such as those Peter wrote about in his second letter (2:20): "after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them". Sadly, we know some who have done just that. A major theme throughout Hebrews is, "Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." The word translated "hold firmly" is in the present active and conveys the ongoing need to actively participate in this "holding on" to our faith.

But note the great promise in the daily text. We have been blessed by it often and committed it to memory: "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." Any earthly rewards pale in comparison to the eternal rewards our heavenly Father bestows on the faithful believer. May the Lord's present and future promises strengthen your faith today and fill you with anticipation for the future when you will be "richly rewarded".

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber