Coincidence or Providence?

2 Kings 15:8

Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the temple of the LORD on the third day from now?"

I am one paranoid, protective homemaker. Early in our marriage, I pushed the idea of calling gas delivery services and be vulnerably alone with them. When we transferred here in Cebu City, all the more I begged Tris not to ask me to overcome my insecurities, this time for water delivery. But the wife in me had to submit. Weeks ago, I became suspicious when the usual water boy came in with another young man. 'Two for one big bottle? Really?!'.  Early this morning, I got a text from the water station asking if I want a delivery. ‘Hmm, that never happened before.’ I called Tris and he agreed to not give in, even if it might just be a sales idea. When I opened the Bible for my daily reading, there was Hezekiah showing all his treasures to Babylon envoys which later became a sign, that soon, everything in his palace will be carried off to Babylon. Hmm, plain coincidence or divine providence?

Earlier in the chapter, Hezekiah was down in bed, at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah went to him and confirmed it was fatal. As always, especially in hard times, the king’s first resort was God. He turned to the wall and wept out his heart. He still had no son as heir and his kingdom was unstably facing foreign threats. He sought God’s favor in light of His covenant to those whose walk is faithful and upright.  God heard and he was given another fifteen years. With his failing body and fragile spirits, he humbly asked for a sign to confirm if God will really heal him. He was offered an option and so he asked for the sun to move ten degrees back. It did and his faith was again strengthened.

"Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." These were the words of Isaiah to Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, when Aram and Samaria were invading Judah. God had earlier revealed deliverance and Ahaz was asked to put his confidence in God by seeking His miraculous hands. But he did not and it displeased the Lord. Hezekiah may have known the story that’s why he sought for a sign and was satisfied. So does this mean we can ask God for signs? YES, on the premise that He first revealed His word and we’re simply asking for confirmation. And NO, if in pretense we say it’s an act of seeking direction when actually, it’s at the expense of not exercising His wisdom. We don’t say, ‘If this sign happens, it’s God’s will for me.’ Instead, we seek to grow in His word to know His will so that when He orchestrates things to wonderfully happen, we can ask for a sign to validate it. Signs are the by-product of a relationship.  God never intends it as a one-time, isolated case. Coincidence means accidental.  Divine providence declares God is in control. Our eyes need to intently watch His hands and see His every move. And when we’re ready for His wonders - - that’s the sign we can ask for one.