The Bible often presents “chance” in a somewhat divergent view, emphasizing God’s ultimate control and authority over all situations, including those that appear to occur randomly or by accident. Biblical teachings replace the notion of luck or randomness with divine providence and the sovereignty of God.
What Role Does Chance Play in Biblical Teachings?
In the context of the biblical worldview, “chance” is often woven into the narrative to depict events that humans perceive as random or unpredictable. Rather than denoting absolute randomness, as it typically does in modern parlance, chance in the Bible signifies the limit of human understanding. Bible interprets these incidences as being within the purview, design, or allowance of God, thus highlighting the concept of divine providence over randomness. The Bible reminds its readers that God’s ways, while often inscrutable to us, are guided by an overarching purpose that transcends human comprehension.
When Chance is Not Really Chance
The Bible portrays several instances where events originally interpreted as chance are ultimately revealed as part of a divine plan. These “accidental” or “random” happenings are used as means to deliver messages, perform miracles, or guide people’s lives in the direction charted by God. From this viewpoint, the concept of chance comes to represent the grace and intervention of God as opposed to pure randomness. The Bible underscores that God’s omnipotence and omniscience rule over what we perceive as chance, miracles or coincidences.
Where the Concept of Divine Providence Replaces Chance
The Bible’s teachings emphasize the concept of divine providence over that of chance. Even when circumstances seem improbable or beyond human control, the Bible portrays these as falling under God’s dominion. This perspective on chance brings into sharp focus God’s sovereignty in determining events and outcomes. It replaces the randomness of chance with God’s wisdom and omniscience, stressing that nothing is arbitrary in the divine scheme of things.
Why Chance is Not Self-Determined
Although modern society frequently implies that we can create our own chances, the Bible provides a different viewpoint. It asserts that outcomes are not determined by luck, randomness, self-effort, or personal maneuvering but are instead guided by a divinely ordered course. It challenges the perception of self-determination, underscoring the belief that all situations, even those apparently left to chance, are under the ultimate control and authority of God.
Who is in Control When Things Happen by Chance?
In situations that seem to transpire by chance, the Bible reiterates God’s supremacy. It asserts that God permits, orchestrates, or guides these apparent coincidences for His purposes, even when humans fail to comprehend His designs. The Bible consistently affirms that when events appear to transpire by chance, it is God who ultimately holds the reins, maintaining mastery over the universe’s actions and reactions.
Below is the full list of bible verses on chance (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Chance
Ecclesiastes 9:11
“11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
Related Themes: Perseverance Fairness Homelessness
Proverbs 16:33
“33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Omnipotence Gambling Voting
Romans 8:28-30
“28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
Related Themes: Suffering Frustration Sovereignty Complaining Life
Isaiah 46:9-10
“9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Sovereignty Omnipresence Remembering
Ephesians 1:11
“11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Complaining Favor Inheritance
Psalm 115:3
“3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Omnipotence
John 16:33
“33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Related Themes: Frustration Suffering Peace Homelessness Bitterness
Genesis 2:7
“7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
Related Themes: Life Creativity Earth Creation Afterlife
2 Peter 3:9
“9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Related Themes: Repentance Patience Attitude Suffering Quitting
