What is the most difficult decision you have made? Was it choosing your major? Deciding whether to move is difficult? Finding a spouse? All of these decisions are difficult and important. So how do we decide? Do you just flip a coin?
Jesus’ disciples nominated two men named Justus and Matthias to take the twelfth apostle position. They began with prayer. Notice the nature of their prayer. They recognized God’s omniscience and surrendered to his sovereignty. Then they trusted him to show them which man he had already chosen. Finally, they cast lots. We might say they drew straws or rolled the dice. One pastor called his sermon on this passage, “Holy Dice.” Matthias drew the long straw and won.
Wait a minute, we may wonder. You are telling me that the church made its first big decision by casting lots? No. They prayed and surrendered, trusting God would control how the lots fell.
I remember when Melanie and I were falling in love. We needed to be sure if it was God’s will for us to marry. One night I prayed beside my bed at the Brueggeman’s home near Pleasant Grove Church. I pleaded with God to show me his will. Awakening during the night, all I could hear was, “Yes.” After nearly forty years, Melanie might be excused if she wanted to go back and draw straws or cast dice. Thankfully, God told her, “Yes,” too. Jeremiah spoke for God, “You will seek me, and you will find me when you seek me with all of your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
During a difficult time in our world, one of our members gave me a set of three dice. I have them in a small container in my office. Every once in a while, I throw the dice. I love them because they each have the same word written on all six sides. “God.” Every time I roll the die, the answer comes back “God.” If we earnestly consult God, he will show us his will in difficult decisions. Relying on God, we can never lose.
