Day 34
What A Coincidence
Merriam-Webster defines coincidence as the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection.
Christians define coincidence as the occurrence of events that happen at the same time and God chooses to remain anonymous.
This is perfectly illustrated in the story of Ruth and Boaz as recorded in the Book of Ruth. Notice the phrases that are underlined.
Ruth 2:1-6 (NLT) Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech. 2One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.” Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” 3So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. 4While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you!” he said. “The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied. 5Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” 6And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. 7She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.”
One day, and as it happened, while she was there, are all highly informative words to let us know God was making things happen! The Bible did not say “So God moved on Ruth’s behalf.” From Ruth and Boaz’s perspective, God was being anonymous in bringing God’s purpose for Ruth and Boaz into fulfillment.
Hundreds of years later we read, Matthew 1:5-6 (NLT) Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. 6Jesse was the father of King David. … 16Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
Boaz married Ruth. They had a grandson who was King David and several generations later Mary would give birth to Jesus our Messiah! What a coincidence! Chance encounters, impeccable timing, miraculous results; all according to God’s plan and purpose.
God has plans and a purpose for you! Some events that take place in our lives where we say, “I was lucky” or “What a coincidence” are often God working His plan into our life’s purpose! It is incredible and no coincidence that God includes us in His plans! So, instead of saying, “I was lucky” we should say, “Thank you God for your blessings!”
What a coincidence – NOT!
Merriam-Webster defines coincidence as the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection.
Christians define coincidence as the occurrence of events that happen at the same time and God chooses to remain anonymous.
This is perfectly illustrated in the story of Ruth and Boaz as recorded in the Book of Ruth. Notice the phrases that are underlined.
Ruth 2:1-6 (NLT) Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech. 2One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.” Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” 3So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. 4While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you!” he said. “The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied. 5Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” 6And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. 7She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.”
One day, and as it happened, while she was there, are all highly informative words to let us know God was making things happen! The Bible did not say “So God moved on Ruth’s behalf.” From Ruth and Boaz’s perspective, God was being anonymous in bringing God’s purpose for Ruth and Boaz into fulfillment.
Hundreds of years later we read, Matthew 1:5-6 (NLT) Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. 6Jesse was the father of King David. … 16Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
Boaz married Ruth. They had a grandson who was King David and several generations later Mary would give birth to Jesus our Messiah! What a coincidence! Chance encounters, impeccable timing, miraculous results; all according to God’s plan and purpose.
God has plans and a purpose for you! Some events that take place in our lives where we say, “I was lucky” or “What a coincidence” are often God working His plan into our life’s purpose! It is incredible and no coincidence that God includes us in His plans! So, instead of saying, “I was lucky” we should say, “Thank you God for your blessings!”
What a coincidence – NOT!
Posted in 40 Days - 2022