When you look back at your life, do you see God’s hand guiding you? Or do you think that it’s all a matter of coincidences? Was it divine intervention? Was it divine providence? Keep reading, and you’ll see that there are no such things as coincidences, there’s no such thing as luck, and that when certain things happen, it’s God’s hand in your life.
Was it a Coincidence?
One day I was walking home from the bank in Downtown Phoenix. Now, I could take a variety of different streets to get back to my apartment on 5th Ave. Planning to walk straight down and then turn on 5th, for some reason, I looked down 4th Ave. and saw it was shady and flowers were blooming. It looked pleasant. As I walked down the street, I noticed a very colorful bus parked in front of the Salvation Army apartment building. It said “Mobile Produce Market.” Curious, I crossed the street to investigate.
I discovered the Farm Express. They are at that location every other Tuesday. You can buy fresh fruits and vegetables. For someone without a car, it’s rather convenient for the produce store to come just a couple of blocks away! I have it on my calendar to remind me when they are there.
So, was that a coincidence or divine intervention?
Here’s another…
In my new apartment complex, many of the residents get food boxes from the local food bank. We were planning a BBQ and potluck for Memorial Day. I decided to make Mexican rice and beans from a recipe that just happened to pop up on YouTube. I wasn’t looking for it. It looked good, and it was easy to make. I had all the ingredients except one: green onions. Technically, the recipe would not be ruined if it didn’t have green onions.
The day before the potluck, one of my neighbors knocked on my door and handed me a brown paper bag full of produce. Digging in, I pulled out, yes, a bunch of green onions! I didn’t pray for them, nor did I tell anyone that I needed them. GOD KNEW!
The Psalmist David Wrote…
O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
Psalm 139:1-7 NLT
I can never get away from your presence!
The 9th of Av was NOT a series of coincidences!
In 2026, the 9th of Av (Tisha B’Av) in the Hebrew year of 5786, lands on July 22 and goes through sunset on the 23rd. Jews observe it as a full day of fasting, prayer, and communal mourning. On that day, Jews all over the world hold onto the conviction that history isn’t haphazard. Events, even terrible ones, are a part of God’s Divine Plan and have a spiritual meaning.
Here are some of the events that happened on the 9th of Av in Jewish history:
- The Jews rebelled against God when He brought them out of Egypt, so God made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years. That was in 1313 BC.
- Solomon’s temple, the first temple in Jerusalem, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 423 BC.
- In 70 AD, the Romans destroyed the 2nd temple built by Herod. (Jesus predicted this!)
- The Jews who resisted the Romans in 133 AD were brutally killed in the final battle of Betar.
- Later, in 1290 AD, Jews were expelled from England.
- In 1492, Jews were expelled from Spain by the Roman Catholic Church during the Inquisition.
- World War II and the holocaust that resulted in the total killing of over 6 million Jews by Hitler followed World War I, which incidentally started when Germany declared War on Russia on the 9th of Av.
Find out more about the 9th of Av here.
Coincidences? I think not!
In case you didn’t know, there is no Hebrew equivalent word for the English word “coincidence”!
In other words, the God-Fearing Hebrew people knew that God had a plan for them, that He saw and knew everything, and He provided for their needs.
What is Providence?
Providence is the protective care of God. That’s in the biblical sense. There are other secular definitions. It’s interesting how humans, who do not know God, make up reasons for “coincidences”. Which is where Paganism comes from.
The story of the Pilgrims is about God’s providence, not coincidences. When you think, “What were the chances that an English-speaking American Native just happened to be in Massachusetts to teach the Pilgrims how to plant, hunt, and harvest?” It’s not a coincidence. It’s providence. By the way, that’s where the name for the capital of Rhode Island came from. Providence, RI, is a port near the mouth of the Providence River. It was founded in 1636 as a haven for those seeking religious freedom.
Another Personal Story…
In 2021, I had to move. My lease was up, and the rent was going up too high for the tiny apartment I was in. I had until the end of April to find a place. I wanted a low-income, senior community. I prayed, “Lord, I don’t care where it is. I need it soon. Wherever you plant me, I will bloom.” I put the hunt in His hands.
Subsequently, I called around to many apartment complexes. Everyone had a 2-year waitlist. I prayed again, “Lord, I can’t wait 2 years!”
Then, when I called one complex, she said that her waitlist is not that long. Ah, hope! She said she had one unit that no one on the waitlist wanted because it was a 2-story, 2-bedroom townhouse. On top of that, it was available immediately. Needless to say, I took it. I was there for 4 years, then God led me to an affordable, smaller place a couple of blocks away. I didn’t even change zip codes! I asked, and God provided.
Yahweh Jireh, the God who Provides
The word “providence” comes from the late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin providentia, from providere ‘foresee, attend to’. God knows our needs.
Paul wrote:
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
2 Corinthians 9:8-10 NLT
Jesus said…
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Matthew 6:31-33 NLT
Notice that God provides what you NEED. Not what you WANT. That’s a lesson I learned some time ago and still am learning today!
Understand, too, that everything you and I have we have because God allowed us to earn the money to buy them. That’s why we should live in an attitude of gratitude daily. Thanksgiving should be EVERY DAY!
John wrote…
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:15-17 NIV
We are subject to Satan’s temptations every day. As I write this, my other screen is flashing ads for cute women’s clothing. Would I like one of those shirts? Sure. Do I need another shirt? No. That’s where the Holy Spirit comes in.
For those of us who are born-again Christians, we have access to the Fruit of the Spirit…
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:22-26 NIV
Paul also wrote…
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
I pray every day for the Spirit to give me some of that self-control and self-discipline. I need it every day.
So, the next time something ironic happens, or something “just happens to be”, pause and think about the Hand of God working in your life. Additionally, look back at your life. Do you see the Hand of God saving you from impossible situations? Do you see His Providence, Divine Appointments, or Divine Interventions?
Maybe you need a relationship with Jesus Christ.
isnt it about time you let him in
Soli Deo Gloria — To God Alone Be The Glory!
