Here is today’s Daily Redemption bulletin. Today we explore whether “streaks of bad luck” are real, or if they are spiritual warfare, natural consequences, or God’s sovereign plan. Learn how to respond to chaos with faith, not fear.
Featured Scripture and Commentary
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
OK Paul th
en why is my friend going through 1 electrocution, 2 surgeries on her back, 1 running into a steel rod, a flooded house in the last two weeks and other ongoing issues? Or the friend who having just recovered from shoulder surgery falls down a couple of stairs and requires knee surgery? That’s not bad luck? OK well let’s take it to the altar and to the Lord for discussion (prayer). Separate issue – prayer: do you talk to God or do you talk with Him? Maybe He would love the opportunity to respond when you are giving Him your laundry list. Come on. I am not being mean but truth is that we all do it or have done it.Treating God like an errand boy. “I want this and that and the other thing too and I want them know. I love you Lord Amen.” Well let’s look at our friend with the knee and the shoulder. He was also blessed to sell his house almost immediately. He was blessed that his knee, although in pain, was in good enough shape that he could drive to Ohio and wasn’t delayed in his move there where he had a job waiting for him and his new boss demonstrated patience and compassion that the job would still be waiting for him when he was ready to jump in and take it. So this is not to be overlooked. Even whilst we experience a season of bad luck or testing of our perseverance or spiritual warfare… JEHOVAH JIREH! The Lord provides what we need to get through it. So while our praying style may not be the best (or maybe it’s perfect) and maybe we need to give the Lord some breathing room when we pray. Maybe we need to just know that the Lord, and directly the Holy Spirit, know what we need, even when the best we can do is groan. Maybe we should just meditate on the Lord and let him provide. It’s what He does. To think the Lord doesn’t know what we need cuts him down a peg doesn’t it? I like prayers that say, “Lord, I have no clue what is going on. You do.” and in fact, we can just leave it at that. Prayer need not be a marathon unless you have a heart of compassion and a vista of the great sufferings in the world, neighborhood, church besides yourself and your list is not so much a laundry list as a list of people who you want to hold up to the Lord in your prayer. God bless you if that is you. Paul ends the Ephesians 6 section of scripture “pray for all of God’s people”. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation but God will be pleased if you pray for others besides your own personal laundry list.
So what is an apparent streak of bad luck? Well if we consider it bad luck then that would be out of anybody’s control, even God, right? Belief in bad luck becomes almost a kind of idolatry or at least it leads to amulets, crystals and charms because you have said it is out of God’s control so I am experiencing bad luck. So let’s strike that from our vocabulary and realize trials are either a. God testing us because suffering brings us closer to the Lord and increases our perseverance and strength. or b. the adversary, the evil one, the accuser, the father of lies, the ruler of the air and of this world doing what he does best – steal, kill and destroy. How about when we hit a rough patch we remember to thank the Lord that nothing has been stolen we are still alive and not yet destroyed? And that is my prayer for you and beyond that, divine providence, buena fortuna and above all God’s grace walks with you at all times. And when you don’t like how things are going that you know that our Father in Heaven loves you and loves you even more so when we can thank him in the midst of sufferings. Maybe if we can do that we will be spared future calamaties.
LIFE-CHANGING CORROBORATING SCRIPTURE
James 1:2–4, Job 1:6–12, Ecclesiastes 9:11, Proverbs 16:33, Genesis 50:20, Psalm 37:23–24, 1 Peter 5:8–9, Deuteronomy 32:39
James 1:2–4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Job 1:6–12 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them… The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? … Now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” … “Very well, then,” the Lord said to Satan, “everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Ecclesiastes 9:11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or 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.
Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Psalm 37:23–24 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
1 Peter 5:8–9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…
Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.
TODAY’s BIBLICAL DOSE OF REALITY:
We’ve all said it: “I’m just having a streak of bad luck.” The car breaks down. The job falls through. The health issue arises. It feels random. Unfair. Chaotic.
But as believers, we must ask: Does “luck” exist?
The Bible suggests three alternatives to “bad luck”:
Sovereign Purpose (God’s Plan):
Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned. It looked like a terrible streak of bad luck. But he later declared: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20). What looks like chaos from the ground is often a chess move from Heaven. God uses “bad” events to position us for His purpose.
Spiritual Warfare (The Enemy’s Attack):
Job didn’t lose his family and wealth because of “bad luck.” He lost them because Satan asked permission to attack him. While God remained sovereign, the source of the pain was adversarial. When “bad luck” feels targeted, oppressive, or designed to make you curse God, it may be spiritual warfare. The response isn’t resignation; it’s resistance (1 Peter 5:9).
Natural Consequence or Fallen World (Time and Chance):
Ecclesiastes 9:11 admits that “time and chance happen to them all.” We live in a fallen world where tires blow out, viruses spread, and economies crash. Sometimes, a thing is just broken. This isn’t always punishment or a plot; it’s the reality of living in a world groaning under sin (Romans 8:22).
Why “Bad Luck” is a Dangerous Lie:
Believing in “bad luck” makes you a victim of randomness. It strips God of His sovereignty and you of your agency. If it’s just “luck,” you can only wait it out. But if it’s sovereignty, you can trust Him. If it’s warfare, you can fight back. If it’s consequence, you can learn and grow.
Don’t call it bad luck. Call it what it is. Then invite God into it. Because “in all things God works for the good” (Romans 8:28). Even the bad things. Especially the bad things.
PRAYER FOR WHOMSOEVERS
Lord, help me to stop calling Your sovereignty “bad luck.” If this is a test, give me endurance. If this is an attack, give me armor. If this is a consequence, give me wisdom. I trust that You are working even in the chaos. I refuse to be a victim of chance; I am a child of King. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
