There Are No Accidents
Aug 15 2024 - Eric Buresh
A connection that has become more and more clear to me is the link between humility and peace, or alternatively, between pride and anxiety. It’s not a necessarily intuitive link. Often, we think of anxiety as a weakness and pride as accompanied by self-confidence, and so we view them as opposites. However, it is the pride of self-sufficiency that leads to anxiety. The false belief that we can or should control our circumstances for our own good is what ultimately leads to our lack of peace. I think of 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” These are often memorized as separate versus, but they are one continuous thought – like “drive carefully, keeping your eyes on the road.” The humble cast their anxieties on God because they trust in His care. The prideful will retain their anxieties because they trust in themselves.
As I read Old Testament narrative passages, the grand stories of our spiritual ancestors, what I see more and more is an explanation of WHY we should humbly cast our anxieties on God. Each story is a testimony of God’s faithful care for His saints. As you read the stories, the lives could be perceived as chaotic and random (like we often feel about our own lives), but all are carefully guided by God's sovereign care and providence (like our own lives truly are). The stories of Joseph, Esther, and Ruth are good illustrations, underscoring the truth that God is in total control and there are no accidents. In humility, we can depend on Him even though we cannot see where He’s leading us.
Joseph: From Pit to Palace
The story of Joseph, found in the book of Genesis, is a remarkable testament to God's providence. Joseph's journey from being his father's favored son to a slave in Egypt, and ultimately to the position of Pharaoh's second-in-command, is a dramatic narrative filled with seemingly random and unjust events. His brothers' betrayal, Potiphar's wife's false accusations, and the years spent in prison all seemed like a series of unfortunate accidents. Yet, each of these events was a crucial step in God's plan for Joseph’s beautiful life.
Joseph himself acknowledges God's sovereignty when he reveals his identity to his brothers: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20). Joseph's life illustrates how God's providential hand can turn apparent misfortunes into glorious good.
Esther: For Such a Time as This
The book of Esther provides another powerful example. Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, becomes the queen of Persia. Her rise to this position of influence seems coincidental and unlikely, but it is part of God's meticulous plan to protect His people from annihilation.
When the wicked Haman devises a plot to destroy all Jews in the Persian Empire, Mordecai challenges Esther to use her position to intercede with the king. He famously declares, "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14). Esther's courage and strategic actions lead to the salvation of her people, demonstrating how God positions individuals in specific circumstances to bring about another glorious good.
Ruth: From Moabite Widow to Ancestress of the Messiah
The story of Ruth, recorded in the book bearing her name, is a beautiful narrative of loyalty, love, and divine orchestration. Ruth, a Moabite widow, chooses to stay with her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, after the deaths of their husbands. Her famous declaration, "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16), sets the stage for a remarkable series of events.
Ruth's decision to glean in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi, leads to a marriage that secures both her and Naomi's future. Unbeknownst to Ruth, her faithfulness and Boaz's kindness contribute to the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. This story highlights God's providence in turning personal tragedies into key elements of His redemptive plan for humanity.
The stories of Joseph, Esther, and Ruth collectively affirm that there are no accidents in God's design. Each individual's experiences, though fraught with challenges and uncertainties in the moment, were integral to God's overarching plan for His people. These narratives remind us that, even when circumstances appear random or senseless, God is at work behind the scenes, weaving together events to fulfill His divine will and bring about a glorious good.
As believers, we can find humbly cast our anxieties on Him, trusting fully that God's sovereignty and providence revealed in the stories of Old are still on display in our lives today. Trusting in His plan, we can face life's uncertainties with faith, knowing that every moment is a part of His perfect design.