I remember one of my fond childhood memories being the time I got to play board games with friends. My particular favorite was Snakes and Ladders because I was good at handling dice. One time I lost to a friend of mine and I was convinced that he cheated. He responded by saying, "No I didn't. God just wanted me to win." Does God really cause people to win or lose a game of chance, or is there really a possibility that some things randomly happen outside of the timing and plans of God?
People collectively define "coincidence" as an event that happens out of a random set of uncontrolled variables. While it is true that things come together to string together the make-up of your days, there is nothing that is truly uncontrolled.
The Bible has nothing to say of coincidence, but it has everything to do with the providence of God. Was it coincidence that a ram happened to be caught in a bush when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, that David happened to find the perfect five stones to stun a giant, or that Elijah was fed by a group of Ravens with food in their mouths?
Though some things just seem to string together to hit a jackpot for you today, remember that nothing ever happens without God's hand touching it. God is omnipresent and omnipotent, meaning He can control the smallest winds and the largest hurricanes.
God's purposes always prevail and He allows all things to happen for His overall plan that may not make sense to us but will always work out the way He wants them to. We may not understand it, but it's not up to us because God is provident and sovereign.
Our great assurance though is that God is just and loving, causing those who trust in Him to prosper and for all of mankind to receive His grace and blessing. Here are some verses that tell us about God's sovereign plan and providence.
Isaiah 46:10. Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, "My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure."
Job 42:2. I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Zechariah 4:6. This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Matthew 10:29-30. Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Proverbs 19: 21. Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.
Exodus 9:16. But for this very purpose have I let you live, that I might show you My power, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth.
