By Accident Or On Purpose?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles Tags: Bible Lessons on TrialsThe story is told of a cowboy who applied for an insurance policy. His agent asked, “Have you ever had any accidents?” After thinking for a moment the cowboy responded, “Nope, but a bronc did kick in two of my ribs last summer, and a couple of years ago a rattlesnake bit me on the ankle.”
“Wouldn’t you call those accidents?” replied the puzzled agent. “Naw,” the cowboy said, “They did it on purpose!”
This story reminds me of the biblical truth that there are no accidents in the lives of God’s children. In the Old Testament, we read how Joseph interpreted a difficult experience that had seemed like a great calamity (Genesis 37:5-11).
He had been thrown into a pit and then sold as a slave (Genesis 37:12-28). This was a great test of his faith, and from the human standpoint, it appeared to be a tragic case of injustice, not a providential means of blessing. But Joseph later learned that “God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
Are we passing through the deep valleys of trial and disappointment? Does everything seem to be going against us? These apparent misfortunes are not accidents by any stretch of the imagination.
The Lord allows such things for a blessed purpose (Romans 8:28). Therefore, let’s patiently trust the Lord and He will be with us through our trials and disappointments (Proverbs 3:5; Psalm 23:4).