Risky Business?

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. Proverbs 16:33

Every Decision – Need to make a decision about something that is not clear? You could always cast lots. Oh, I can see your face now. A little surprise followed by immediate revulsion. “Why, that’s gambling (or nearly the equivalent thereof).” “I could never leave my decisions to chance!”

How blind we are! Solomon, the wisest of the wise, tells us exactly why casting lots is a way to make decisions. We may throw the dice, but God controls the outcome. If you serve an absolutely sovereign God, why would you fear making choices on the basis of lots. Chance has nothing to do with it. That’s a myth propagated by a world that wants you to think life is random and accidental. Get over it! God is in charge. You can trust Him.

Of course, if we are really honest, we will admit that there is a much deeper reason why we are not ready to make our decisions on the basis of lots. We want some input! We don’t want to say, “All right, Lord, I will trust you so completely that I will cast this lot and whatever occurs I will consider Your hand and act accordingly.” We don’t want it that way because we want to negotiate the outcome. “Hey! No fair. The dice went off the edge of the board. You have to throw again.” We can’t really bring ourselves to actually obey God on the basis of absolute trust. We want our say in the matter.

Solomon is a lot smarter. Every decision (in Hebrew, mishpato) comes from God. The word reminds us that God’s controlling hand is connected to justice and what it right. If I serve Him, do you think He would allow me to just wander along on my own? He is my Master. He plots the course. He know the right and just way. I am only expected to follow, not to create the path.

Now we can be very practical. Have a tough decision to make? First, check the Book. If God says something about the choice, get in line with the Book and don’t look back. But if God doesn’t have anything directly to say about your choice, then you get to trust and obey. What a privilege! God actually allows us to choose to obey Him. He doesn’t compel our actions. He asks us to make decisions based entirely on His trustworthiness.

So, go cast a lot. The outcome is in God’s hands, isn’t it? Right? Comfortable with that? Then cast the lot and obey!

Could life be any simpler? Does the burden of decision-making anxiety suddenly disappear? Are you relieved from the atrophy of not knowing what to do? Did you catch a glimpse of freedom? The sovereign God removes a life of guesswork – if you let Him. Feels good, doesn’t it?