The original meaning of the word “coincidence” was two things falling together at the same time or same place. In a previous era, we would have assumed that coincidence meant the hand of God.

Today, however, the word has come to mean something that has happened by random chance. I would argue that the only reason our use of the word has slightly shifted is because we believe less and less in a God who is Sovereign. We no longer believe in a God who can make things coincide.
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In chapter 2 of Luke’s Gospel, we are told that Caesar called for an empire-wide census, and so Mary and Joseph went down to Bethlehem to register, and Jesus was born there according to prophecy.

Micah 5:2 says, “you oh Bethlehem … out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times…”

We have the collision of a pagan emperor’s will, and ancient prophecies of our savior. These two things fell together. These events coincided. Was it chance? Was it random?

So much of our world denies God’s control, but believes in the ideas of luck, or chance, or fortune. Does the Bible account for coincidence? How do we understand things that appear to be random?

The Old Testament has a story of chance coinciding with God’s plan. The death of Ahab is simultaneously described as random, and prophesied 1 Kings 22.

Micaiah predicted Ahab’s death in verse 17, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, these people have no master.”

So in verse 30 Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes.” Then in verse 34, we’re told, “But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor.”

God is able to make things coincide for His purposes. He can place random arrows in the gaps of any armor.

Every second of our lives are random events that are being knitted together by our King of coincidences. Our King is bigger than space and time. He’s not too spiritual to enter space and time and work through the decrees of pagan emperors.

He uses “coincidental” events for his glory, and for our joy. Every second of our life is an occasion for the mundane decisions of human beings to fall together with the promises of God. In Acts 2:23, Peter says it this way about Jesus, “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”

Many doubt God’s plan because we also doubt his goodness. However, the plan of the cross clarifies that God’s control is not overbearing but redeeming.

The coincidence of Christmas is because God loves us. He did not leave us to chance, but He came for us. Are you willing to live life like you are part of His loving plan? Do you trust that you will be constantly thrust in the midst of one divine coincidence after another?

It won’t always be obvious, but God has sent you to your city, to your office, to your club, to your neighborhood, to your business, your church and your relationships. You are His coincidence. Remember His love and His orchestration of Coincidences this Christmas season. Love others because of it.

Shared with you by Dave McMurry