Zachariah plonked down into his big armchair, his comfortable resting place at the end of the day. What a day it had been! He recalled what had happened the past 12 hours, from the pleasant enthusiasm and positive support among his campaign managers and staff to the unpleasant experience with his opponent’s followers.
It felt as if something was missing somewhere. He could not understand why the audience did not believe a word he said. How could they be so misled by the words of the opposition? Irrespective of how hard he tried, nobody seemed eager to follow him anymore.
The missing ingredient in his life was trust. Somehow the people didn’t trust Zachariah anymore.
Jesus experiences a similar phenomenon today – He calls it faith.
A leader is followed because of the principles he adheres to and he gives his followers the facts and character of his policies through public appearance and by making propaganda.
God gave us the Bible, stipulating in detail the integrity, majesty and grace of our Leader. Jesus became Man and publicly demonstrated the power and love of God and yet, one day He asked whether He would find faith on earth in the end of days. (Luke 18:8)
The enemy has succeeded to provide people with much negative info and meaningless propaganda to distract them from the truth. He provided numerous channels of TV programs from Hollywood, Bollywood, Stinkwood or Wormwood to fill our homes. Although many are good, some are just meaningless propaganda.
We are being brainwashed with stories that appears so lifelike and realistic. However, everyone knows that behind every scene are cameras and directors creating make-believe pictures.
Consequently our belief system gets affected and often becomes make-believe faith.
At the other side we find science, the “facts-believe”, trying to convince believers that creation is a myth and hours of effort are put into conversations and debates discussing the reality of evolution. They are so convincing that some believers even accept the fact that God used evolution to create. What happened to: “and God said, Let there be?”
Sadly, although Jesus is alive and living through us, He appears to be powerless because many pray and ask Him for miracles and nothing happens. As a result everyone is looking for the missing ingredient – that link between us and Jesus to enable us to live the abundant life He promised.
There is only one missing ingredient – faith. One day when Jesus visited His hometown, Nazareth, He was confronted by unbelievers who were offended by His presence. Jesus marvelled because of their unbelief. The result – He could do no mighty works there (Mark 6:5). It sounds preposterous, but it is true – Jesus, the Creator with God, could do no mighty works!
Faith comes by hearing and reading the Word. Switch off that TV more often, select only a few good programs to watch. Spend more time with Jesus! Follow Jesus!