Storybook Ending

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
05/24/2022


For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he.” (Jeremiah 31:11)

Most people love a good Cinderella story. They love to root for the underdog. In fact, when you think about it, the plot of most books and movies involves some kind of come-from-behind, rags-to-riches story. It is heartwarming. It appeals to our inner desire for equity and fairness. We long to see good people win and bad people lose. Moviegoers cheer for storybook endings, but when the antagonist does not get what is coming to him we are left frustrated and disillusioned.

I remember watching the film Cinderella with my children when they were younger. Even as an adult it is hard not to get drawn into the plot. There is something very satisfying about watching Cinderella get the prince in the end. The mistreatment she suffered at the hands of her evil step-sisters cries out for justice. Every time I watch that movie I find myself looking at the step-sisters and thinking to myself, “Ha, ha, ha! Serves them right! Good for Cinderella!”

Yet, in our desire to see good win out over evil, we must remember one thing. In order for good to overcome evil, there must be a period of time where evil is winning out over good. That is, before the underdog can make a comeback, he must first be behind; that is what makes him an underdog. Before the Cinderella team can surprise the experts in the playoffs, they must first have a bad season. She who would be a princess must first scrub a few floors, and he who would be prince must serve his time as a frog. You get the idea.

The prophet Jeremiah records a brief message from God that might be skipped over if it were not so profound. In Jeremiah 31:11, God promises to deliver His people “from the hand of one stronger than he.” In the original context, the reference is to Israel’s deliverance from Babylon where they were held captive for seventy years. Notice that God says that Israel’s enemy, Babylon, is stronger than they are. What an amazing revelation! God tells Israel right up front, “Babylon is stronger than you. That is why you need Me to deliver you.”

It is hard to envision an opponent today who would admit that their adversary is stronger than they are. Can you imagine a coach trying to motivate his team before the big game by saying, “Okay, look. Here’s the deal. The other team is much better than us. They are bigger. They are stronger. They have a better record. There is no way we can beat them. We are going to need a lot of luck to win this game.”

There is an important principle here. We need God’s help to overcome the enemy. Frankly, if our enemies could be overcome without God’s help, they are not much of an enemy. The first step in living a victorious life is to acknowledge our complete helplessness and our desperate need for God’s help. This is precisely the way a lost sinner comes to salvation in the first place. He admits he is a sinner, hopelessly lost and on the road to hell. Then, the lost person acknowledges that he cannot save himself. Jesus Christ is the only one who can save him. Eternal salvation comes only by faith in Jesus Christ who died and rose again for our sins.

Face it. The enemy is stronger than we are. Satan has powers we could never even imagine. Yet, “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Every day we must wake up and “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). If we try to tackle life’s problems in our own strength, Satan will chew us up and spit us out. The good news is, we do not have to tackle life on our own. God has given us everything we need for life and godliness in His Word (2 Peter 1:3). He is right there beside us, ready to deliver us from the one who is stronger than we are. Remember, the Christian life is not about being good enough to win. It is about beating the odds through the power and grace of God. The Christian life is one big Cinderella story with a storybook ending.

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