Good News That Lasts

You won! Can you imagine? Who wouldn’t want to hear that kind of news?

Some of us dream about driving up to Vegas and striking it rich on the slots or hearing our numbers called for the big Powerball Jackpot. What would you do if you struck it rich? It’s easy to get lost in day dreams about a big fortune. How it would change your life. How you could change the lives of the people you love.

David Lee Edwards likely had those same thoughts. He was a high-school dropout, who spent more than a decade in prison. He didn’t have a job. He loved his 11 year old daughter, but couldn’t give her the life he wanted for her. David didn’t have much. But he had a Powerball lottery ticket and what many might consider a little bit of luck. David’s numbers all hit. It was the third largest Powerball in American history, at that time. David took the lump sum of 27 million.

When he went to receive his winning check, David Lee Edwards was humbled. He recognized that most people were like he was before hitting the jackpot. Barely making it by. He made promises that he wasn’t going to go get fancy cars or big houses. “I want this money to last, for me, for my future wife, for my daughter and future generations.”

(https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2574188/Tiffanis-father-won-27m-Powerball-jackpot-11-A-decade-later-died-broke-blowing-Lear-jet-fast-cars-bad-deals-drugs-Here-tells-RELIEF-wild-ride-over.html)

But it didn’t last. Despite David’s best intentions. Despite hiring a trustworthy financial advisor. In that first year, David spent almost half of his winnings. David did what he promised he wouldn’t. He bought a mansion and a private jet. He bought homes for his friends and family. He bought lots of cars. He bought lavish gifts, expensive jewelry, and started collecting medieval swords. Not all his spending was so harmless. He gambled. He got back into drugs. In twelve years, David was bankrupt and dying. All alone.

David Lee Edwards’ story is a sad one. But it’s a good reminder that striking it rich doesn’t make all your problems go away. You can have the best of intentions and be blessed with a clean slate and still make a mess of things.

Even after hearing the cautionary tale that is David Lee Edwards, you and I still struggle to accept that truth. Each of us thinks we would do better than David. And you might—with material wealth. But how have you done with the greatest gift God has given you—your life here on earth?

When we look at how we’ve spent our days, how we’ve invested our energy, we see shades of David Lee Edwards, don’t we? A person who talks a good game. Even has good intentions. But so easily gets caught up in selfish and deceitful pursuits. Each of us has done the very things we promised we wouldn’t do. Each of us has failed to follow through on our good intentions. (Rom. 3:23) All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

And God knows that. That’s why he sent his Son, Jesus Christ to bring (Is. 61:1-2) good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

What is this good news? It’s not that you have a winning Powerball ticket in your hand. It’s that God has you in his hands.

The Son of God came to be and do what we could not and would not. Jesus didn’t just talk a good game. Jesus lived a perfect life. Jesus didn’t just have good intentions. Every thought of his was righteous. Every word was honest. Every action was virtuous. Jesus was perfect. For you.

You see, this Son of God came to pay your sin debt—to free you from eternal spiritual bankruptcy by dying on the cross in your place. His sacrificial love binds up your broken heart. You can’t atone for your past mistakes, but Jesus already has. Jesus’ glorious resurrection is the receipt. Everything has been taken care. Paid in full. Jesus’ ascension into heaven is your sure hope. Because the flesh and blood Son of Man lives and reigns in heaven, all who trust in him and his promises will too. His winnings are all yours. You won! You don’t have to imagine.