The Super Bowl is set as the Rams knocked off the 49ers and the Bengals surprisingly beat the Chiefs yesterday. The Rams vs. Bengals Super Bowl matchup is highly intriguing, yet for most football fans, this is totally unbelievable!

How could a Bengals team who won two games in 2019, four games in 2020, and who has a starting quarterback in only his second season make it to the Super Bowl?

We’re expected to believe that the same Bengals team who lost during the season to the Jets in week eight and the Browns (41-16) in week nine knocked off the top two seeds in the AFC Playoffs on the road?

Can we wrap our mind around the fact that a franchise like the Bengals, who have a history of losing over the last 30 years (and still have flaws) are one win away from being champions?

How is it possible that the Bengals were down 21-3 yesterday against the high-powered Chiefs and found a way to come back to win 27-24?

Is it conceivable that the Bengals’ star rookie wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, is the same wide receiver who couldn’t catch the ball during the preseason?

Before this season, did any of us imagine the Bengals would be in the Super Bowl?

Bengals QB, Joe Burrow, had a hard time believing it too: “I think if you had told me before the season, I would’ve been very surprised. But I’m not surprised right now because we’ve gone through a whole year. I know the kind of team that we have, and I know the guys that we have in the locker room. So right now, I’m not surprised. But if you were going to tell me after last season or in OTAs, I think I would’ve called you crazy.”

As for the Rams, it may not be as surprising they are heading to the Super Bowl, but their story is also incredible. Can we believe that one year ago they traded their quarterback, Jared Goff (who previously led them to a Super Bowl) for Matthew Stafford who never won a playoff game in 12 years with the Lions?

Is it really possible that yesterday LA was down 17-7 in the 4th quarter before scoring 13 unanswered points for the win, despite the 49ers having won six straight games against them?

How could it be that the Rams’ running back, Cam Akers, tore his Achilles right before the season and then came back healthy enough for the Super Bowl run?

And, of course, there’s no way that the Super Bowl is going to feature a team playing in their home stadium for the second straight season, right?

“Do we believe this?” is a question I could go on and on asking.

Although we probably doubted these two teams along the way, the truth is that both of these teams are actually in this situation. The more we watch them and experience their greatness, the more we believe in them and realize the reality of who these teams are.

When thinking about our faith in God, it comes down to believing in Him and what He says is true. Unfortunately, oftentimes we are filled with doubt and struggle to believe in His promises and who He really is. He is so magnificent and we are so weak that His goodness is hard to wrap our mind around.

How could the God of the universe love us so much and want to know each of us personally? How could He be so gracious that He is willing to save us and will never leave us?

Is it conceivable that a perfect God would love sinners like you and me with our history of losing (and still having major flaws)?

Thankfully, as unbelievable as it seems, this is reality!

Romans 5:8 (NIV) says, “…God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 8:39 (AMP) tells us, “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We might also wonder, is it really possible that God has a plan and purpose for each of us and works everything together for good? This is true, too.

As the Bible says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10; NLT).

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28; ESV).

We might also wrestle and think there is no way God could forgive sinners like us, is there?

However, 1 John 1:9 (ESV) tells us, ”If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Lastly, we wonder is it actually true that God is always with us?

Deuteronomy 31:8 (AMP) proclaims, “It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

God’s Word is true, but do we believe it? Ultimately, the more we watch God move in our lives and experience His greatness, the more we believe the Truth and realize His unbelievable promises are in fact real.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help my unbelief. I know You are real and wonderful. Although it seems unbelievable that You would love me and show me grace, I believe it’s true. Thank You for being faithful to Your promises and for being willing to save a sinner like me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

1. Which of God’s promises is hardest to believe?

2. Pick one of the truths above and describe how genuinely believing it has changed your life and perspective?