God Is In Control

Text: Acts 1:20-26
Theme: God will show us his will and make the final choice.
Key verses: “Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us…” (v. 21). “So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas…and Matthias. Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry…Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias: so he was added to the eleven apostles” (v. 23-26).
What God said to me: Dwayne, the focus of this passage is two-fold: First the people had to choose, then I made the final choice from their choice. This is a very important order of events which lays out a couple life-principles for you to follow. Understand that you as my people and my followers have an obligation and the ability to make certain choices. They should be based on wisdom and earnest striving to consider what is best and most reasonable. You should pray and ask for my wisdom and direction, of course. However, I entrust to you the actual choices. Once you’ve narrowed down the possibilities, you must leave the final decision and direction to me. From your initial and careful and wise choices I will show you which is my ultimate will. That’s where the “lot” comes in. As you have studied, it’s almost impossible to know for sure what the disciples did in this case. Most likely they placed stones in an urn, some of which had one name and some which had the other name and some which were blank. Then they reached in their hands and pulled out a stone. It is also plausable that they somehow cast votes–at least that’s what a few scholars say is possible. Here’s the point: It was a choice that was completely out of their control. They had to rely on me–either to turn the hearts of the voters or to turn the placement of the stones as people reached to take them. I am able to do both equally effectively. The point of this passage and the confidence of those early believers is that my will is soveriegn and my choice perfect. Apply that to your thinking and walking today–and believe I will direct your choices and path.
What I said to God: Praise you, Lord, for speaking so clearly to me this morning! I needed to be reminded that you expect me to try to use wisdom and plain common sense to narrow down my options. But in the end I must rely on you–and not my own understanding–to make the final decisions each and every day. I love you and I’m blown away how you put up with me and still love me despite my wanderings and schemings.