In the context of the Bible, the concept of "chances" is often understood in relation to God's sovereignty, providence, and the unfolding of His divine plan. The term "chance" itself is not frequently used in Scripture, but the idea of events occurring seemingly by chance is addressed, often to highlight God's ultimate control over all circumstances.

Divine Sovereignty and Providence

The Bible consistently affirms that God is sovereign over all creation, and nothing happens outside of His will or knowledge. Proverbs 16:33 states, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." This verse underscores the belief that what may appear as random or by chance is ultimately determined by God. The casting of lots, a practice used in biblical times to make decisions, is shown here to be under divine control.

Human Perspective on Chance

From a human perspective, events may seem random or coincidental. Ecclesiastes 9:11 observes, "I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." This passage reflects the unpredictability of life from a human viewpoint, acknowledging that outcomes are not always as expected based on human effort or ability.

God's Purpose in Apparent Chance

The Bible illustrates that what appears to be chance is often part of God's greater purpose. The account of Joseph in Genesis is a prime example. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, an act that seemed to be a series of unfortunate events. However, Joseph later recognizes God's hand in these events, saying in Genesis 50:20 , "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people."

Faith and Trust in God's Plan

Believers are encouraged to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem random or beyond understanding. Romans 8:28 assures, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This verse provides comfort that God orchestrates all events, even those that appear to be by chance, for the ultimate good of His people.

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the human perception of chance, it consistently points to a divine order and purpose behind all events. Believers are called to trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that He is at work in all circumstances, guiding history and individual lives according to His perfect will.2819. kleros -- a lot
... Probably from klao (through the idea of using bits of wood, etc., for the purpose;
a die (for drawing chances); by implication, a portion (as if so secured ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2819.htm - 8k

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 56, 58, "Ye Know How to ...
... We walk in the midst of chances. If we were made of glass, we should have to fear
chances less than we have. What is more fragile than a vessel of glass? ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lix on the words.htm

The victory of Faith
... from us this day? Why not, indeed? What, then, will help us to overcome
the fear of chances and accidents? How shall we keep from ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon vii the victory of.htm

True Prudence
... best in life have always been cheerful and hopeful men, who went about their business
with a smile on their faces, and took the changes and chances of this ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxx true prudence.htm

Gambling, Card-Playing
... never a gambler. Usually the gambler is the man who is naturally full of
hazard, who loves to run risks, to take chances. Nor will ...
/.../questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/iii gambling card-playing.htm

A Plymouth Usher
... Those who were not in their places at that time had to stand their chances with
the guests, and what those chances were may be gathered from the fact that it ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/a plymouth usher.htm

The Chrysalis State.
... one, which is to decide our fate for ever, is merely some sort of chrysalis state
in which man's faculties are so narrow and cramped, his chances (I speak of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /the chrysalis state.htm

Jabez
... They are poor creatures who complain that the battle is lost before it is even begun,
who groan that the chances of life are all against them before they have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/jabez.htm

Prayer Out of the Deep.
... The older I grow, and the more I see of the chances and changes of this mortal life,
and of the needs and longings of the human heart, the more important seems ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/vii prayer out of the.htm

The Distracted Mind
... How should I be able to pull through such a trouble? Where shall I find friends?
How shall I make myself safe against the chances and changes of life? ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxix the distracted mind.htm

Doing Glory to God in Pursuits of the World.
... When a man has been roused to serious resolutions, the chances are, that he fails
to take up with the one and only narrow way which leads to life. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xi doing glory to.htm

Chances (6 Occurrences)
...Chances (6 Occurrences). ... Hebrews 11:15 And truly if they had kept in mind the country
from which they went out, they would have had chances of turning back. ...
/c/chances.htm - 8k

Chance (78 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A possibility; a likelihood; an opportunity; -- with reference to a doubtful
result; as, a chance to escape; a chance for life; the chances are all ...
/c/chance.htm - 37k

Chancellor (3 Occurrences)

/c/chancellor.htm - 8k

Venture (10 Occurrences)
... undertake, or say something; to dare. 5. (vi) To make a venture; to run a hazard
or risk; to take the chances. 6. (vt) To expose to hazard ...
/v/venture.htm - 10k

Kill (310 Occurrences)
... put to death; to slay. 4. (vt) To destroy; to ruin; as, to kill one's chances;
to kill the sale of a book. 5. (vt) To cause to cease ...
/k/kill.htm - 36k

Uncontrolled (58 Occurrences)
... sport of authority. Ready to take chances, uncontrolled, they have no fear
of saying evil of those in high places: (BBE). 2 Peter ...
/u/uncontrolled.htm - 23k

Underneath (19 Occurrences)
... Underneath all phenomena and all the chances and changes of life and time there
is unchanging law, everlasting principle, an all-enfolding power, an all ...
/u/underneath.htm - 12k

Odds (1 Occurrence)
... of one and against another; excess of one of two things or numbers over the other;
inequality; advantage; superiority; hence, excess of chances; probability. ...
/o/odds.htm - 6k

Jeopard
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JEOPARD; JEOPARDY. jep'-ard, jep'-ar-di: The Eng,
word referred originally to a game where the chances were even (from OFr. ...
/j/jeopard.htm - 7k

Jeopardy (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JEOPARD; JEOPARDY. jep'-ard, jep'-ar-di: The Eng,
word referred originally to a game where the chances were even (from OFr. ...
/j/jeopardy.htm - 9k

What does the Bible say about second chances? | GotQuestions.org

Will there be a second chance for salvation after death? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong to have raffles in the church? | GotQuestions.org

Chances: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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