My title is God’s Sovereign Plan vs Coincidence.
It’s not unusual to hear someone says, “I was lucky” or “Just happened to.” I cringe when I hear those words because I don’t believe in either one of those. There might be games of chance that’s true, but not in life. I don’t believe things which happen are “luck” or “chance” or “coincidence.”
Case in point: My Scripture reading the last two days. The book of Ruth. What a fascinating story! I’d encourage you to sit down and read it today. Slowly. Glean (pun intended) the truths from it. It can be read in one sitting; I chose to do it in two. It is full of love, commitment, jockeying, and deep spiritual truth. The way Boaz treated Ruth. The way he didn’t back down from being her kinsmen-redeemer. His “jockeying” and negotiation for her. His care for Ruth and Naomi. But here’s the coup de grat: “They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (4:17)
A son born to Boaz and Ruth (the Moabitess)! Check out Matthew 1-the lineage of Jesus. I love seeing a plan like this. It was not luck that brought them together; it was God’s sovereign plan. An interesting commentary follows verse 17. “Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron…Salmon fathered Boaz…(and you know the rest).” Even the illicit conception of Perez (Judah and Tamar, his daughter-in-law) was not a “chance” encounter. No. God’s sovereign plan was at work. I’m not smart enough to understand all of the theology surrounding God’s sovereign plan, but I am “smart” enough to know God is in control and I must trust that that truth. Ruth is a rich book. I love the whole story, especially the kinsmen-Redeemer one.
“Father, it’s not luck. It’s not chance. It’s not coincidence. It’s your plan. Thank you for this story of Ruth and Boaz in all its angles. Thank you for the beautiful story of redemption contained here. What a beautiful picture of God’s perfect plan of redemption through Jesus. Stepping in and saying, ‘I’m buying Him (me). He’s mine. The price is my life.’ How can I call that anything but love? Anything but ultimate sacrifice? Anything but the ultimate price? This Easter season I pray for that truth to deeply impact me.”
I love the encouragement you remind us can be found in the lineage of Jesus. No matter how broken we are, God can turn things around and use us. Thanks for the post, Bill!
Thanks Pam. I have been fascinated for several years about the lineage of Jesus. So much there! Thanks for the kind words.
I agree with your thoughts on God’s plan vs coincidence. There have been too many occasions where things have happened that while in the midst I can’t explain or understand, but eventually come to see the bigger picture sometimes years later. I’ll admit there are some that I am still waiting to see the bigger picture.
I think we would all like to see or know the bigger picture. Unfortunately, we may never see it. We just have to trust the ONE who does.
I read the book of Ruth many times, Bill, and it is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. And like you, I do believe everything happens for a reason, and it’s not “luck” or “happenstance.” God is in control!
Blessings!
One cannot read Ruth and not see that martha. I’m glad to hear you love that story. it is a beautiful one.
All those genealogies in the Bible are not there by accident. One thing they show is God’s plan – God’s hand working through families.
Exactly Glynn. Tragically, we want to blow by the genealogies thinking they are boring. Maybe some are but the ones of Jesus’ line are not.
I just did a study on Ruth. I was amazed at all the stuff I learned from the study. I had read Ruth a few times but never in such detail. Love the story.
Thanks Linda. I love hearing about you reading the Bible. So much there we keep learning.
I’m with you, Bill. God uses our shortcomings for His perfect and redeeming will. Nothing is to chance and He turns our filthy rags into beauty.
Love that story of true love via commitment.
Great way to put it Floyd. And I agree about the true love and commitment of the story. Thanks for coming by.