I Samuel 9 describes the circumstances by which God brought Saul to the attention of the prophet Samuel that he might be anointed king. Saul’s father’s donkeys were lost, and Saul and his servant went to find them — which brought them right to the town where Samuel was going to bless a sacrifice. Verse 15 says, “Now a day before Saul’s coming, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel …”.

Some people might call such thing a “coincidence,” but the Bible specifically tells us here that it was the Lord’s doing. God uses such “coincidences” for His purposes. This might say something to some of us about the “coincidences” we have seen in our own lives. Did we just “happen” to come across a certain person, or to read a particular verse at a given time; did things “just work out a certain way” — or was there something more to it?

The Bible knows nothing of “coincidences” or “luck” — but it does speak much about the providence of God, and how His unseen hand orchestrates events, “working all things together according to the counsel of His will.” (Ephesians 1:11) Many people are quick to write things off as “coincidence” or “luck”, but part of the life of faith is to see God’s unseen hand in the events and circumstances of our lives. Look for God’s purposes in the people you meet, the verses you read, and the circumstances that “happen” upon you. What others call “coincidence,” the Christian will understand as the Providence and direction of God!