I returned and saw under the sun that—
The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
We all know what a disappointment fortune cookies can be. You’ve just scarfed down six plates of General Tso’s chicken and you’re now mentally prepared to hear a prediction of your future, or at least some clever advice to bring about good luck as you go on your way. But so often those little slips of paper inside have only a cryptic message in broken English that barely makes sense. Oh well. Just google your horoscope instead.
Many Christians will say they don’t believe in luck or that anything happens by accident. Many of the things in life that seem to be coincidence or happenstance are in truth carefully orchestrated by God to bring about His will. But Solomon did say that “time and chance happen to [us] all,” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). I like that word– chance. In this context it indicates that things can happen without any particular design. But it can also refer to the idea of possibility and opportunity.
Even Jesus used the expression, “by chance,” in the parable of the Good Samaritan. “Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side,” (Luke 10:31). We don’t need to read too much into this, but it does show that there’s nothing wrong with the expression, and it reminds us that sometimes opportunities come to us out of the blue. Whether God has specifically orchestrated each one of them or not, we know He certainly expects us to make the most of every opportunity to do good.
Of course God can and will control anything He wants to. But what if sometimes He’s waiting to see if we’ll ask for Him to take control?
Consider how Matthias was chosen to take Judas’s place in Acts chapter one. It’s not a flashy story, but it speaks to the ideas of chance and control.
First of all Peter stood and, arguing from scripture that someone needed to take Judas’s place, he quoted Psalm 109:8: “Let another take his office,” (Acts 1:20). (Insert joke about your least favorite president here).
Then the eleven apostles nominated two men.
Next they prayed for God to show which of the two He had chosen.
Then they cast lots. Some say casting lots was like casting a vote, but most agree it was more like drawing straws, which is a way of choosing something by random chance. Either way, “the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD,” (Proverbs 16:33).
And even if they had not prayed first, God still could have providentially made sure the right man was chosen. But might He have chosen to stay out of it if He had not been invited into the process?
Speculation aside, they did pray first, and it makes for an interesting mix, a joint participation between God and the apostles. They acted. God acted. They made some choices. But the decision was surrendered to God when they prayed and asked Him to reveal His choice (Acts 1:24-25).
Is there such a thing as good luck? I think on some level there is. For example, people have sometimes imagined deities as moody, changeable, even vindictive. We’re lucky that God’s not like that. But if you don’t care for such terminology, that’s fine. Rather than focus on terms like “luck,” or the moral significance of a fortune cookie, let’s consider the issue of control. God has given us a small sense of control by giving us choices. Yet even in those choices, we’ll be led (controlled) by something. Will it be superstitions? Our own passions? Or will we ask God to lead us?
Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5
Horoscopes and fortune cookies may be fun, but they cannot change what God has said. Although some things may happen by chance, salvation isn’t one of them. For real hope, reliable guidance, and a sure future, we must turn to Jesus.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the comfort and assurance of knowing that nothing happens outside the realm of Your control. Thank You for working all things together for good. May I always cede control to You by choosing to submit to Your authority. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
by Christie Cole Atkins
Walk Worthy 