S)"26 And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles."
Acts 1:26 (NASB)
O) This is the last place in the Bible that refers to casting or drawing lots to make a decision according to God's will. No one knows exactly what took place when doing this, except it was some form of determination that would otherwise be left to chance (e.g., dice, flipping a coin, drawing sticks, etc.). There are a few interesting points about this, to me. The first, is that this last event took place before the Bible was actually completed as the holy, infallable, unchanging Word that it is now and has been known to us for over 2000 years unchanged. The second thing I noticed, was that this was just days before the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
A) I find it terribly interesting that modern day Christians are so quick to dismiss casing lots as an outdated, archaic, unreliable, and pointless practice. I hear things like, "Now that we have the Bible, we don't need it." or comments like, "Since we now have the indwelling Holy Spirit, promised through Christ and given to every Christian, God can speak to us directly." While I recognize the truth in such points of view, I can't help but hear something... an underlying tone... it seems like disbelief... Don't get me wrong, I don't know if my own faith is strong enough to base my decisions on the flip of a coin or the roll of a die - expecting that God will control the outcome. But it's an interesting thought about stretching my faith. I don't know exactly how to apply this Scripture, except to remind myself of the blessings I have in the intimacy I share with the LORD, through the Holy Spirit upon me and within me.
P) Father, increase my faith to believe that You can, and even will affect such physical objects as dice or flipping a coin if I needed to hear from You with no other way. Otherwise, LORD, thank You for redeeming me. Thank You for forgiveness and establishing righteousness within me and for Your Holy Spirit upon me. Speak to me Your will directly, whether through visions or dreams or the Word, or even audibly. Help my unbelief, so I don't miss anything You are doing. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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