First of all, we need to ask this question: Is there such a thing as BAD LUCK? From man’s vantage point, we tend to think that we either experience “good luck” or “bad luck” in life. Solomon speaks to this in Ecclesiastes 9:11-12, “I returned and saw under the sun that—the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and CHANCE happen to them all. For man also does not know his time: like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them” (NKJV). According to Solomon, LUCK is the main factor which determines man’s FORTUNE or MISFORTUNE. Was he right? No, for if you read the whole book of Ecclesiastes you see that most of the conclusions that Solomon reached were based on his own observations and logic, and NOT on God’s revelation to man through the Holy Scriptures.

What do the scriptures teach concerning LUCK? Listen to Solomon’s “word of true wisdom” in Proverbs 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” The “casting of lots” was equivalent to the “drawing of straws” or the “tossing of a coin” (to determine who wins or who loses). The Israelites used this method to settle disputes as we see in Proverbs 18:18, “Casting lots causes contentions to cease, and keeps the mighty apart.” Yet in reality they knew that this method was actually a means of “determining God’s will,” for they knew that “every decision is from the Lord.” In other words, they didn’t consider it “good luck” or “bad luck,” but the Lord carrying out His will.

What we learn from this is that GOD IS SOVEREIGN and NOTHING HAPPENS BY CHANCE.  If one experiences MISFORTUNE it is God’s will. He is either CAUSING it to happen or ALLOWING it to happen. Take the case of Job in Job 1:6-19 (which I would encourage you to read). God allowed Satan to destroy Job’s livestock, servants and children. I’m sure there were people standing by who witnessed Job’s MISFORTUNES who were saying, “My, Job sure has been having a streak of BAD LUCK!” But what did Job say about his misfortunes, “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshipped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job did NOT attribute his misfortunes to bad luck; nor did he blame Satan for them. Instead, he saw that the Lord’s Hand was in all of these events. Yet he didn’t complain or become bitter towards God, but rather “he fell to the ground and worshiped” and resigned Himself to God’s will for him.

What a lesson for us today! If we are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ we should take everything as from the Lord and know that He has our best interests at heart and that everything He allows in our lives are FOR GOOD.  Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” When we face adversities we can cling to this blessed promise that “God means it for good” (see Genesis 50:20) and that “God has a purpose in it (see Ephesians 1:11).” The main PURPOSE is given to us in verse 29, “He also predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son.” He allows trials (i.e. misfortunes) in our lives in order to change us into the image of His Son. Even the world says, “Troubles help to build character.” The believer can say, “Troubles help to mold us into Christ’s image so when people see us they see ‘Christ’s character’ (His love, mercy, compassion, holiness, righteousness, etc.) in us.” In view of what we have just learned from Scripture, we should NOT try to “cleanse ourselves from misfortunes in our lives”; we should seek to learn God’s lessons for us in them (see Hebrews 12:5-11) and know that these are being used of our heavenly Father to form us into the image of His Son.  (371.1)  (DO)