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?
Friends wanting to “KNOW” if they are supposed to move with us. They had been crying out but just weren’t sure. SO.. they found this message of yours. The family took a die. The number that is common for them is 6. SO.. they picked the number 1. (they seldom get that number while playing games etc) They asked YAH to confirm if there were to move. They threw the die across the room. GASP! It was a “ONE”. They believe it was YAH & they are MOVING! Just sharing!
Curious… WHY are there NO comments on this article? Hmmm… anyone? 😀
Are you really asking about blind faith? About those points in life where we THINK we don’t have a clue about what next to do?
At those points, I tend to just give it to Him and wait. Wait until I can see the next right thing (what does love look like in this place?). The times in my life that I take a dive right off the cliff are the times that I can see no other way to act in love or integrity or obedience. In other words, I already know what the Law requires, even though there is no ‘right’ way open to pursue it. That is when I practice cliff diving. The other big decisions? I trust they are already taken care of. To move or not to move? Well? Were they right to trust the move? Between you, me and the wall (and I reserve the right to be in a different place with this tomorrow) I really have suspected from time to time that if you set your heart to obey and trust, it sometimes may not matter WHAT the die rolls to, because the act will be blessed (“All things work together for good to them that love G-d”.). Sorry if that does not help so much. My grip on linear reality ( cause HAS to precede effect) seems to be getting a little thinner these days!