Nothing is Happenstance

Recently, I started a study in the book of Esther. This book is special in many ways. One of them being that the name of God is never mentioned, but it is quite obvious that He was at work all through its pages. Esther is a story of a beautiful Jewish woman raised by a family member named Mordecai. She eventually became queen in order to save her people from an evil man named Haman who wanted to kill them. Oftentimes, the events of life can feel random, haphazard even. It can leave a person asking why. Why is this happening to me? Why is this happening to me now? Why is this happening at all? While at times it may seem that life is spinning out of control the believer can rest assured that it is not. One’s looks, gifts, abilities, desires, and path, in general, are not happenstance. God is always at work behind the scenes whether it seems like He is or not. Can you think of a time in your life where things seemed to be happening to you in no particular order? I can.

I don’t know why the Lord allowed me to meet certain people and be on the receiving end of their nonsense, but I do know that He is in control, and nothing is beyond His use. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

During king Xerxes search for a new queen, he ended up choosing Esther because was most attracted to her. Do you think this was a coincidence? One day while Mordecai sat at the city gate he overheard a plot to kill the king, reported it, and his service was recorded in the history books. Do you think this was happenstance? Because of the positions God put Mordecai and Esther in, they were able to save their people, the Jews. If you are not familiar with the story of Esther, I encourage you to read it. If it’s been a while, go ahead and reread it for good measure. When you do, pay attention to God’s hand all through the story. 

There are times a believer may be living outside of God’s will. Doing things that they should not do. Living in places that they should not live. But rest assured that even when believers wander off the path, He is still at work.

As the Lord watched over the group of Jews who remained in the land of their former captivity, He is watching over you. All that He has given you, He will use to His benefit. Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” Time after time there have been people who have plotted the destruction of the Jews. Eventually, redemption comes, and they come back stronger and more united than ever. There have always been evil people, there currently are evil people, and there always will be evil people until God calls us home. My mother once told me that the best revenge is to succeed. Do not worry about evil men and women, they will reap their reward in full at the proper time. Your job as a believer is to trust in Jesus.

Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Has your boss taken a liking to you? Are you receiving favor and love from group leaders or organizational heads? Do you think this is happenstance? Are you going through a tough time? Does it seem like you can’t do anything right? Have people turned their backs on you? Do you think this is a coincidence? Regardless of your circumstances, whether you are having a good time or a tough time, and can’t figure out why, remember that God is in it.

For those having a good time, do not trust in the favor of man. For it can turn just as quickly as it came. For those having a hard time, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. If you are still alive, He is not finished with you yet.

Be well,
Christine A.