Thoughts on "Too Good To Not Believe" by Cody Carnes and Brandon Lake

It’s always important to think about the how a worship song will work in our church context.

"Too Good To Not Believe" by Cody Carnes and Brandon Lake is the perfect example of a song that needs context.

Here are the lyrics in full:

I've lived stories that have proved Your faithfulness

I've seen miracles my mind can't comprehend

And there is beauty in what I can't understand

Jesus, it's You, Jesus, it's You I believe

You're the wonder-working God

You're the wonder-working God

All the miracles I've seen

Too good to not believe

You're the wonder-working God

And You heal because You love

Oh, the miracles we'll see

You're too good to not believe

Too good to not believe

Too good to not believe, oh-oh

And I can't resurrect a man with my own hands

But just the mention of Your name can raise the dead (yeah)

All the glory to the only One who can

Jesus, it's You, Jesus, it's You (come on)

We've seen cancer disappear

We've seen broken bodies healed

Don't you tell me He can't do it

Don't you tell me He can't do it

We've seen real life resurrection

We've seen mental health restored

Don't you tell me He can't do it

Don't you tell me He can't do it

We've seen families reunited

We've seen prodigals return (come home)

Don't you tell me He can't do it

Don't you tell me He can't do it (don't you ever tell me)

We've seen troubled souls delivered

We've seen addicts finally freed (finally freed)

Don't you tell me He can't do it

Don't you tell me He can't do it

We'll see cities in revival

Salvation flood the streets (come on)

Don't you tell me He can't do it

Don't you tell me He can't do it

We'll see glory fill the nations

Like the world has never seen

Don't you tell me He can't do it

'Cause I know that He can

These lyrics speak of seeing miracles from a very personal and literal perspective. It makes sense as co-writer Joshua Silverberg has spoken freely about his own supernatural healing from asthma and both Carnes and Lake have referenced miracles they’ve see in their own lives. As a congregational song however, such personal experiences are difficult to sing with conviction. Personally I haven’t seen “real life resurrection” so it’s hard for me to belt that out.

Lake himself has acknowledged the inherent challenge in the songs subject. 

While lyrics like “You heal because You love” can be encouraging and are true, there is an unspoken question on the other side. If I’ve failed to see healing I’ve prayed for, does God not love me? How many times have we prayed and not seen the miracle we’ve sought? What does that mean about the goodness of God?

The answers aren’t easy but that doesn’t mean this song doesn’t have a place.

So where does this song fit?

To me, it makes the most sense when the theme of a gathering is healing. Prayer meetings and altar calls make sense. Listening in private times is also powerful. It’s intended to build faith and after spending the time on the tutorial I can tell you listening on repeat did spark that in me. 

Learn 'Too Good To Not Believe' here.