Being a “Swiftie” (a Taylor Swift fan for those who don’t know) is a real thing. She has moved from being just a pop music icon to becoming a true influencer in culture. In a 2009 interview with MTV News, Taylor Swift revealed she believes the number 13 is a good thing for her. Here is her quote:
"I was born on the 13th. I turned 13 on Friday the 13th. My first album, Taylor Swift, went gold in 13 weeks. My first #1 song had a 13-second intro. Every time I've won an award, I've been seated in either the 13th seat, the 13th row, the 13th section, or row M, which is the 13th letter. Basically, whenever a 13 comes up in my life, it's a good thing."
For many people, there is a superstition surrounding the number 13. Some buildings even skip having a thirteenth floor because they consider it bad luck. Yet for Taylor Swift, 13 has become her “lucky” number, almost like a sign of destiny woven into her life story.
As followers of Christ, this raises an important question. Is it possible for numbers to truly be lucky or unlucky, and should we emphasize these things at all? Let’s explore this together to make sure we are putting the understanding of numbers in its proper perspective.
The Search for Messages in Numbers
I was preparing to lead a workshop for my job when I somehow got roped into a conversation about playing the numbers (I don’t play it, in case you were wondering). One lady mentioned how the same number kept showing up in her life. She went to fill her gas tank, and the total came out to that number. Later, she ate at a restaurant, and her change came to the same number. Something else happened that day, and, you guessed it, the same number appeared again. In her mind, this was a sign, so she played that number. To her surprise, she won some money and gave the credit to the number that kept appearing.
People love to tell stories like this when their number hits. What they rarely tell you is the many other times that same number comes up and nothing happens. They conveniently ignore those instances. Because the odds are stacked so heavily against winning, when something seems to connect, people attach meaning to it and label it a blessing or a sign. However, in truth, it was nothing more than a coincidence.
Sadly, this mindset isn’t just in the world. I’ve heard Christians say similar things, putting stock in numbers and coincidences as though they hold spiritual weight. This is where we need discernment. The Bible certainly uses numbers symbolically, but never as lucky charms. When we elevate numbers beyond what God intended, we risk stepping into superstition rather than faith.
Numbers in the Bible Are Symbolism, Not Luck
Numbers carry significance in Scripture. For example, the number 40 appears often, and usually it represents a season of testing, trial, judgment, preparation, or transformation:
-Testing – Jesus was led into the wilderness and fasted for 40 days, being tested by the devil (Matthew 4:1–2).
-Trial – The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years until the unbelieving generation passed away (Numbers 14:33–34).
-Judgment – During the flood, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:12).
-Preparation – The spies sent to scout out the Promised Land explored it for 40 days (Numbers 13:25).
-Transformation – Elijah traveled 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb, where God renewed him (1 Kings 19:8).
Even in the New Testament, we see this number appear. After his resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples, teaching them and preparing them for the coming of the Holy Spirit before ascending to heaven (Acts 1:3). Stephen, in his speech in Acts 7, even broke Moses’ life into three 40-year segments.
Clearly, numbers matter in the Bible. While they are important, there is no luck or special blessing associated with focusing on any one number. The only reason these numbers carry any significance at all is because God has woven them into his story. When the Bible highlights numbers, it is not pointing us to the power of the numbers themselves but to the providence of the God who orders all things.
Finding Meaning in the Unchanging Truth of God’s Word
One important thing to keep in mind is that we, as modern readers, look back at the Bible and notice these patterns. There is something to consider. Would the people at the time have recognized them in the same way? Take Moses on Mount Sinai, for example. Exodus 24 tells us he went up the mountain to meet with God, and he remained there for 40 days. But did Moses climb up expecting to be gone for 40 days? There’s no indication he did. He wasn’t counting the number of days he was following God’s leading.
That’s an important principle for us. Numbers might have meaning in hindsight, but they were never meant to guide us like a horoscope. God may choose to work in patterns, but we should not assume he will always repeat them. Doing this makes God predictable and limits his sovereignty. While God is free to work by numbers, he is not required to. That is why we cannot always judge our responses by them. God is free to act however he chooses. The danger of attaching ourselves to numbers is that we can chase signs instead of listening to God’s voice. This can lead to numbers becoming a crutch, and if we are not careful, we can fall into superstition instead of being led by God.
God’s Providence Over Numerical Patterns
Taylor Swift calls 13 her lucky number. Others look for repeating digits on clocks, receipts, or license plates. As Christians, we do not live by luck or coincidence. We place our trust in the providence of God, which guides us through this life. Living by God’s providence means you are trusting him to work actively in every detail of your life. You also give him the freedom to work as he chooses. Proverbs 16:33 reminds us,
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
This means that when you are trusting God, everything, even what feels random, is ruled by his hand. Nothing ever escapes his oversight or foreknowledge. This gives us the confidence to know we don’t have to chase after random numbers. We can rest in our Father, who holds our entire lives in his hand.
The Security of Being Anchored in God’s Word
While numbers may catch your attention and may even be interesting to study, we don’t anchor ourselves to them. Instead, we anchor our souls to God’s word and his promises. Here are three anchors you can bank your life on.
-Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33
-Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. - Psalm 119:105-Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. - Hebrews 13:5b
These are the anchors that provide our genuine hope. These are not based on patterns or numbers but in the faithfulness of a God who will never go back on what he has promised.
The world may find meaning in numbers. Taylor Swift sees 13 as her lucky charm. Others play the lottery, study numerology, or hope to find their destiny in these things. That is not how we should live. God orders our steps, not chance or superstition. The one who said, Let there be, and there was, is the same one who holds you in the palm of his hand, and no one can ever snatch you from his hand. That, my friend, is where your confidence comes from. You may very well look back over your life and notice God used a certain numerical period to transform or move something in your life. Just don’t be so quick to form a doctrine that this is how God always moves. Remember, he is much bigger than that.
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