Often things seem like they “just happen.” Where is God in that? - Coincidence - TouchPoints

Ecclesiastes 9:11I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.

Sometimes life’s events do seem to be random. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race; the most competent applicant doesn’t get the job. At times like that, remember that your life is part of a bigger picture—God’s master plan. Things that happen to you are not always about you, but instead are a piece in a puzzle that will only make sense from an eternal perspective.

Jonah 1:7Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit.

Acts 1:26Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

Proverbs 16:33We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.

You may try to leave your decisions or future up to chance by throwing dice or flipping a coin, but God already knows the outcome. Nothing can happen that he doesn’t allow.

Genesis 42:21Speaking among themselves, they said, “Clearly we are being punished because of what we did to Joseph long ago. We saw his anguish when he pleaded for his life, but we wouldn’t listen. That’s why we’re in this trouble.”

When faced with confusing, random, or chaotic circumstances you will try to determine what happened and why in order to understand to the situation. Sometimes no more can be said about a bad circumstance than that it happened because you live in a fallen world where bad things affect both good and bad people. But at times, there is a reason. Sin comes back to haunt everyone, even sins committed long ago. God may be disciplining you, or he may be trying to teach you something. Ask God for wisdom to walk through it with grace and openness to his will.

Job 2:3Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”

Job was a man of integrity who lived obediently and pleased God. From Job’s perspective, his suffering must have seemed random—a chaotic and pointless mishap. However it was part of God’s plan to demonstrate to future generations an example of a godly person who trusts God despite present circumstances.

Philippians 4:6-7Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Face the uncertainty of chance events in life with the peace that comes from a strong faith; God is in control.