No Such Thing as 'Luck"

(Article for publication week of 7-28-2010 AD)

"The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33).

The word "luck" is a word that should be banished from our vocabulary. According to the scriptures, there is no such thing as "luck", for all things are foreordained by God. The casting of the lot is ordained by God, for He disposes of all things by His sovereign and absolute and all wise counsels. The movement of the heavenly bodies is by God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge. Every germ and bacterium on the earth is under the sovereign control of God. All atomic activity is by God's sovereign decree. God works all things after the counsel of His Own will (Ephesians 1:11). As our text this week says, "the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord".

Nothing in the universe is left to blind chance. The universe is governed by an all-wise God. God's eternal decrees are in accordance with His wisdom. Don't you see that the worlds are upheld by the One Who is all wise? You see, there is no wisdom in "luck". Those who believe in "luck" are simply saying that they do not believe in the all wise God. Now I know some of you use the word "luck" out of habit, rather than unbelief, but you should labour to eliminate the word "luck' from your vocabulary as much as you would labour to guard against unclean or blasphemous speech. You see, "luck" denies that God is absolutely sovereign. Actually, it ultimately denies that there is a God. There is no such thing as luck in a universe created and governed and upheld by Jehovah.

I thank our Great God that He rules, and over-rules all things for two glorious purposes; God's first great purpose is His Own eternal glory (Psalm 8:1; Romans 11:36). The whole idea of "luck" or "chance" ascribes no glory to God. Those who think that way are not giving God the glory that is due His holy name. Everything that happens in a universe governed and controlled by our Sovereign Lord is for His eternal glory.

God's other great purpose in all things is the eternal good of His people (Romans 8:28). God hath determined in Himself to do good to the objects of His love. We Christians know that our great God is too good to be unkind, and He is too wise to err. All things work together for the good of God’s chosen people. God is infinitely wiser than we. And He is infinitely more holy than we. So we trust Him that when things happen that are painful, He knows it will be for our spiritual and eternal good. He is good, and He is wise, and He will glorify Himself and work good for His people. There is no such thing as "luck", because God is absolutely sovereign.