PSALM 12: “Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, with our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.”

WHEN something is on demand yet not really available it is said to be scarce, so true is the quest for faithful and godly men. The scarcity of faithful and godly men is a reality that has lingered as though it has come to stay; a virus or a cankerworm, which has eaten deep into the relationship of men thereby causing a decline in value, integrity and commitment.

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, scarcity is likened to shortage and is referred to as a situation when there is not enough of something that is difficult to obtain.

The word “faithful” refers to people who believe in a religion or political party and will not change their views. Godly on the other hand, is an adjective used to describe living a morally upright life based on religious principles.

The scarcity of faithful and godly men is a cry for the decline in moral integrity and commitment to religious standards. A wake-up call to protect and defend faithfulness and godliness where the need arise. Faithfulness as a virtue is expressed in the adherence to religious beliefs and the commitment to fulfilling one’s duties and promises.

The Psalmist in Psalm 12 cries out to the Lord over the alarming absence of godly men, how men exalt material possessions, which he described as vile and worthless. Also Proverbs 20:6, pointed at the scarcity of faithful men.
Scarcity of faithful and godly men is influenced by certain factors such as; When people do the right thing and are criticised or even punished by those whose duty ordinarily would have been to protect them it becomes worrisome. The cause effect would be that those who would have woken up to join the band to be faithful become fearful and discouraged. Great number of leaders who are supposed to be terror to bad works are otherwise, regrettably; due to gain, power, fame, relevance, acquisition and/or selfish interest.

Romans 13:3 states: “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to evil. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval.”

• Paradigm Shifts In Societal Values
As man evolved, came a swift shift; obtaining public favour and approval have become a dare need. Men now celebrate materialisms, while social status is being defined by the amount of wealth an individual commands. Favouritism, nepotism and special recognition have become tools in the hands of the influential who in return tramples on the ‘poor’ as demi-gods would their followers.

Men now boast of their strength in wealth; punishment and penalty now differ according to the social class and cluster of the offender. The rich Lords over the poor, with misplaced priorities and honesty is now a conditional virtue subjected to the defendant’s identity. Sometimes, their identities are accessed by connection and affiliation.

• The Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu is Rector, The Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State (08035413812)

• Public Opinion
Humans are always faced with the fear of being judged by others than actually upholding religious standards. We tend to compromise our faith for fear of being judged by others, we find ourselves celebrating vileness because we like to be associated with the elite and gain earthly popularity as opposed to eternal value.

• Inadequate Bible knowledge
Lack of understanding of God’s word can cause a reduction in the faith as faith comes by hearing: hearing the word of God. When one is not informed of God’s word, he struggles to live a godly life.

• The Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu is Rector, The Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State (08035413812)