Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Wise men often say, “Beware! If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
I started to learn that lesson for myself when I, at the age of seven, ordered a bodybuilding course from a comic book. Over the years, full-length mirrors have told me the promise was too good to be true.
Too good to be true. When Pam came home from the grocery store, with a smile on her face she said she had learned the same lesson. She explained that she had been drawn to the sign in the butcher's window. In big letters it said, “T-bone, 50 cents!” It was only when she got much closer that she could make out another line, written in smaller print: “T-bone with meat, $7.50.”
As we deal with each other, we all learn to be cautious.
All of us have fallen for deals that were too good to be true. It's a terrible shame when that same attitude slips over to our dealings with the Lord. Too many people, when they hear God say He loves us, ask, “Why?” When He tells them to trust Him, they wonder, “Should we?” When He tells them He wants to save them, they speculate, “What's the catch?”
My only answer to those questions is, “God doesn't pull any tricks on people. His Word is good, and because of the suffering, death, and resurrection of His Son, we know we can trust Him absolutely.” What a joy it is to say, “Here is Someone who is never going to take me for a ride.” Other things may be too good to be true, but Jesus is God’s gracious goodness who is true.
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You tell us to exercise our faith in You and Your Word. Our own understanding is a rickety prop at best. Stir us by Your Spirit to acknowledge You in all things. Make out of us what only You can –something useful to Your purpose. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 34-36 Luke 1:57-80
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