Coincidence or God-incidence?
By Susan Klein
“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:2
A farmer in the Cincinnati area finds a business card on the ground from a man in Indiana, an area recently ravaged by tornadoes. He calls the man to see if he’s okay. The man and his family survived without harm, but lost everything they own. The man had found his wallet nearby with everything intact, except the missing business card. The farmer is compelled to start a campaign to raise money for the man and enlists the help of family and friends on Facebook. A local church even gets involved. Coincidence, or God-incidence?
A teenage girl, walking home from a friend’s house late one evening is approached by a rabid dog. With no one in sight and nowhere to turn, she stands helplessly as the dog snarls and starts to run straight for her. Just as the dog is about to pounce, it is mysteriously lifted over her head and dropped behind her on the pavement, momentarily stunned and giving her the few seconds she needs to make a hasty getaway. Coincidence, or God-incidence?
An Ethiopian eunuch in charge of all the Queen’s treasury travels two hundred miles just to worship in the temple. Although customs prevent him from becoming a full Jewish proselyte, he desires to worship the true God and learn as much about Him as possible. While sitting on the side of the road reading (but not understanding) the book of Isaiah, Philip the Evangelist happens by. He’s been detoured without explanation from his original route. He sees the eunuch and offers to help interpret God’s Word, teaching him the good news of Jesus Christ. Coincidence, or God-incidence?
Scripture answers this last question. In Acts chapter 8, we see that an angel of the Lord directed Philip to go a different route, knowing it would take him to the eunuch. God had a plan, even opening the eunuch’s heart to receive His word. So, why is it difficult for us to believe that He would still send angels, or use whatever means He desires to accomplish His purpose today? Would He not have directed the wind to drop the business card where the kind-hearted farmer would find it? And couldn’t God choose to send an angel to keep the dog from attacking the girl (who later became a Christ-follower)? Our sovereign God is purposefully orchestrating events to fulfill His plan. He is intentional, and nothing happens by accident.
In the words of Job, “God is mighty, and firm in His purpose.”
GOING DEEPER:
1. Spend some time these next few days looking for the “God-incidences” taking place around you. Consider sharing them with others who need to hear about His sovereignty.
FURTHER READING:
Susan is We Women's Tuesday Morning Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark lead a couples' small group in their home; she is also involved in inner city outreach.
