Too Good Not To Be True
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
01/11/2021
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19)
I received one of those time-share solicitations in the mail recently. You know the type. It is typically a one-page flyer proclaiming that you are one of the “Grand Prize Winners!” To collect your prize, all you have to do is drive three hours away to some new resort development and listen to a 90-minute sales pitch. Normally, this kind of junk mail goes straight into file thirteen. For some reason, maybe because I had nothing better to do at that particular moment, I decided to actually read the fine print on the back of this flyer.
My suspicions were correct. As usual there was a catch. This solicitation was nothing more than a gimmick to attract potential buyers to the resort. About midway down the page, hidden in the midst of the almost microscopic print, was the following statement: “This contest is a nationwide contest. There are a limited number of grand prizes available. Odds of winning one of the grand prizes is 1 in 25,000. If no grand prize is available at your resort, a consolation prize will be awarded.” As I tossed the flyer into the garbage I thought to myself, “Yeah, right. Consolation prize. All I need is another solar-powered calculator or plastic sports watch!”
When it comes to man-made sales promotions, it does not take long for the good stuff to run out. I am sure somewhere across this great land one or two people might have won the “New Ford F150” or the “Free Caribbean Cruise.” But when those “grand” prizes are claimed, what is left in the giveaway bag is less than impressive. As I thought about this, I was reminded of the limitless nature of God’s goodness. Aren’t you glad that God never runs out of good things to give us? The Lord is “abounding in goodness.” (Exodus 34:6) Paul speaks of the “riches of His goodness.” (Romans 2:4) And the prophet Jeremiah reminds us that the Lord’s mercy and compassion are “new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
As King David wrote, “God’s goodness is great.” (Psalm 31:19) God is longing to bless us and pour out His goodness upon us. James reminds us that “every good and perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:17) God’s Word says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
When the trials of life come our way, it is easy to forget that God never runs out of blessings. “I suppose it was only a matter of time,” we might think to ourselves. “Into every life a little rain must fall.” “I’ve had my share of blessings. Now I’ll have to settle for the consolation prizes.” Yet, this type of thinking is contrary to the promises of God’s Word.
While it is true that life often throws us a curve, we must never forget the underlying principle that God’s goodness is unlimited. Just because life includes both suffering and blessing, does not mean that God’s blessings are not abundant. The presence of suffering is a reality in the life of every believer. But it should never be taken as a sign that God has exhausted His supply of blessings.
Blessings may not always come in the manner in which we are conditioned to look for them, but rest assured, God’s goodness will always show itself. God is able to do “exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20) The next time your hopes and dreams seem too good to be true, be sure to read the fine print contained within the pages of Scripture. When you do, you’ll discover as I have that unlike those time-share gimmicks, God’s promises can always be trusted. God’s promises are too good not to be true. If you need a reminder, just look at the cross.
01/11/2021
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19)
I received one of those time-share solicitations in the mail recently. You know the type. It is typically a one-page flyer proclaiming that you are one of the “Grand Prize Winners!” To collect your prize, all you have to do is drive three hours away to some new resort development and listen to a 90-minute sales pitch. Normally, this kind of junk mail goes straight into file thirteen. For some reason, maybe because I had nothing better to do at that particular moment, I decided to actually read the fine print on the back of this flyer.
My suspicions were correct. As usual there was a catch. This solicitation was nothing more than a gimmick to attract potential buyers to the resort. About midway down the page, hidden in the midst of the almost microscopic print, was the following statement: “This contest is a nationwide contest. There are a limited number of grand prizes available. Odds of winning one of the grand prizes is 1 in 25,000. If no grand prize is available at your resort, a consolation prize will be awarded.” As I tossed the flyer into the garbage I thought to myself, “Yeah, right. Consolation prize. All I need is another solar-powered calculator or plastic sports watch!”
When it comes to man-made sales promotions, it does not take long for the good stuff to run out. I am sure somewhere across this great land one or two people might have won the “New Ford F150” or the “Free Caribbean Cruise.” But when those “grand” prizes are claimed, what is left in the giveaway bag is less than impressive. As I thought about this, I was reminded of the limitless nature of God’s goodness. Aren’t you glad that God never runs out of good things to give us? The Lord is “abounding in goodness.” (Exodus 34:6) Paul speaks of the “riches of His goodness.” (Romans 2:4) And the prophet Jeremiah reminds us that the Lord’s mercy and compassion are “new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
As King David wrote, “God’s goodness is great.” (Psalm 31:19) God is longing to bless us and pour out His goodness upon us. James reminds us that “every good and perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:17) God’s Word says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
When the trials of life come our way, it is easy to forget that God never runs out of blessings. “I suppose it was only a matter of time,” we might think to ourselves. “Into every life a little rain must fall.” “I’ve had my share of blessings. Now I’ll have to settle for the consolation prizes.” Yet, this type of thinking is contrary to the promises of God’s Word.
While it is true that life often throws us a curve, we must never forget the underlying principle that God’s goodness is unlimited. Just because life includes both suffering and blessing, does not mean that God’s blessings are not abundant. The presence of suffering is a reality in the life of every believer. But it should never be taken as a sign that God has exhausted His supply of blessings.
Blessings may not always come in the manner in which we are conditioned to look for them, but rest assured, God’s goodness will always show itself. God is able to do “exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20) The next time your hopes and dreams seem too good to be true, be sure to read the fine print contained within the pages of Scripture. When you do, you’ll discover as I have that unlike those time-share gimmicks, God’s promises can always be trusted. God’s promises are too good not to be true. If you need a reminder, just look at the cross.
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