The success of Chelsea in the Champions League Final was unexpected, but brought great happiness to their many supporters. It was interesting to hear what the commentators said as Chelsea fought back and then went on to win the penalty shoot out as their goalkeeper saved three out of the six penalties he faced. The commentators said, “It looks as if their name is on the cup this year,” and “The result was written in the stars.” The conclusion seemed to be that they were destined to win the cup whatever their opponents did!
Many people are superstitious. They believe in fate and destiny, although it is by no means clear who or what determines this. In some parts of the world people believe their lives are dominated by unseen spirits and they live in fear of offending them. If something bad happens they offer sacrifices to appease the spirits. As the influence of Christianity has declined in Western Europe, there has been a big increase in the number of mediums and the people who consult them. Horoscopes and astrology are now popular. People want to know what is going to happen in the future.
The Bible teaches us that there is one true and living God who is all powerful and all wise. He is a personal God who sovereignly directs the world he has made. He rules in such a way that our decisions and actions matter and make a difference. We are not robots, nor are we at the mercy of blind fate. Our lives are not under the care of someone who acts on whim or out of malevolence. God is good and always acts justly. He is love and is the source of all that is good and beautiful.
One of the great privileges we can all enjoy is to live in daily fellowship with the living God, who has revealed himself in his Son, Jesus Christ. This gives meaning and purpose to our lives and guarantees that everything that happens brings us nearer to the day when we shall see him and be with him forever in heaven. The hymn writer, Anne Ross Cousin, wrote, “With mercy and with judgement my web of time he wove, and aye the dews of sorrow were lustred with his love: I’ll bless the hand that guided, I’ll bless the heart that planned, when throned where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.”