Just a Coincidence?

 Just a Coincidence?

 

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. . . . We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.

PROVERBS 16.9, 33

 

He makes everything work out according to his plan.

EPHESIANS 1.11

 

The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. . . . The LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.

GENESIS 39.2, 5

 

Good luck. Beginner’s luck. Don’t push your luck. You lucky dog! Tough luck. We talk about luck a lot — perhaps without giving much thought to what we’re saying. And sometimes we see things happen in amazing ways and say, “What a coincidence!” But is there such a thing as luck or coincidence?

In truth, the things that come together in our lives are not influenced by luck, fate, fortune, destiny, or chance. Instead, the hand of God is involved in many apparent coincidences to bring about his purposes. He is at work behind seeming good luck to bring success, and he’s behind seeming bad luck to bring discipline or lessons in trust.

Acts 17.28 says, “In him we live and move and exist.” Every step we take, every word we speak, everywhere we go, everything we think and feel — it’s all under God’s direction. God is ruler over all the events of history so that they work together for good for the people who love him. We call this God’s providence. Providence is one of those words that you can’t find in the Bible and yet it is written into every theme and story. Providence is when God works behind the scenes to bring about the outcome he desires. No event or circumstance falls outside of his providence.