Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 16:33(KJV): "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD."

Proverbs 16:33(Young's): "Into the centre is the lot cast, And from Jehovah is all its judgment!"

Thoughts for the Day:

The book of Proverbs continually stresses that having God in our daily lives and activities will make a difference in our destiny.  This verse, in essence, tells us that when we seek God and we leave the outcome of all circumstances to Him; He will bring about the results that are right and just for us and others.

In modern understanding a "lot" was an object used to decide a matter by chance, a number of these being placed in a container. The lots themselves varied in size, shape or color and were drawn or cast out at random to determine the choice in question. In the Bible world of the Old Testament, this method of deciding portentous questions was used widely. Our modern day equivalent would be that of "drawing straws."  This is done by taking a number of small straws of different lengths of which are lined up even on the top while the bottom part of the straws are covered from sight usually in someone's hand. There is a straw for each person who will be in the pool for selection.  All parties decide before the drawing that the one who gets the shortest or longest straw will be the one chosen for a certain task.   After predetermining whether it will be the longest or shortest straw, all then leave the drawing to chance which makes it fair. Those participating cannot complain as this kind of selection was not done by a vote. The same is true with the "lot."

Proverbs 18:18: "The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty."

God commanded the Israelites to use the means of the "lot" to divide the promised land among the tribes of Israel.  This would be a fair way, as some of the tribes might complain if they felt the distribution was done in favor of one tribe over another.  Since all the land was not identical, this was a just way to distribute it, and they trusted that God was in the disposing of it.

Numbers 26:55-56:
55 Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
56 According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.

Proverbs 16:33 states that the lots were all cast into the lap.  The one lot that was designated in advance to be the chosen one would then be acknowledged.  Because all the men trusted God, they felt that the one who was selected was God's choice.  And truly it was, as God is behind the scenes working in every life that is committed unto Him.  He is judging and arranging events in our lives when we belong to Him, and though we may think it was an accident should we be chosen by lot, God is the one who puts one up and takes another down. He is the judge.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for being in charge of my life.  I know that I am not just a lost boat drifting in a storm when I belong to You.  I thank you that You are guiding me and directing me in all of my ways.   Lord, when You choose me to do anything for You, please empower me and give me the grace to accomplish it. I know that my life is planned by You and that each person who comes into it, is sent by You, when I am committed to Your will. May I grow from those encounters and be a blessing to them. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.