During my devotions came across the following verse: “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.”Proverbs 16:33; as God prepares me to accept his will during our family’s tribulation.
According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, the definition of the word lot: “That by which the fate or portion of one is determined; that by which an event is committed to chance, that is, to the determination of Providence; as, to cast lots; to draw lots.” The second part of the proverb is the “whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” Also, according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, the definition of the word disposing: “The act of arranging; regulation; direction. The word “disposing” is only found once in the entire bible, in Proverbs 16:33.
Last month, God fashioned our teams when we drew numbers or lots. There was no possible way I could create the partnerships, for you are God’s children; he knows you better than I do. He knows you so well; as stated in Matthew 10:30, he knows the very hairs of your head are all numbered. I wouldn’t have a clue who would go with whom. I would still be deciding. I thank God for his guidance and provision (emphasis on the vision) for this ministry. Allowing God’s providence in fashioning our partnerships is a small example of how we can allow for God’s guidance in our lives.
Howbeit, there are lots in life that we didn’t have a choice of the year we were born, the gender we were born with, or who would be our parents. Yet, these are the lots cast into our laps; God’s providence when, where, and to whom you were born. I thank God for my mom, who raised my other siblings and me as a single mother. She was widowed shortly after my first birthday. I thank God for bringing us together from our varying backgrounds to this moment in time to grow in his word. The only similar lot is our gender (I hope since this is a ladies’ fellowship).
There are joyous lots cast into our laps. Think of all your blessings. Think of the day the Gospel was presented to you and decided to trust in Jesus. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18. Through the blood of Christ, God’s sparing you from condemnation. The day you cried out to the Lord for salvation was your first answered prayer. I sincerely hope we’re all saved, but if you have questions about salvation, please let me know; I’d like to share the Gospel.
There are lots cast into our laps today that we don’t know how God will use for his glory as we each face the throes of life. The last couple of years dealing with the lockdowns, quarantines, and masks have tested our faith—learning to live with the new normal “post covid.” Learning to live with chronic pain be either physical or emotional or both from physical or mental illness. The bad news from the doctor’s office, you or your loved one have only weeks to live.
Several weeks ago, I received a call from my niece to inform me my great-nephew was hospitalized with Covid. As the week drew on, I heard he was bored and hungry; I was glad to hear he was doing better. Thank God for his recovery; hoping he will soon be released from the hospital. A few days after receiving the good news, I received a call; he had to be intubated and placed in an induced coma. The information took me aback; how could that be? He was doing so well, and now, discussing lung transplants? How did everything quickly change? Sadly, three hospitals rejected him for the lung transplant; there’s nothing more to be done but to keep him comfortable. The news brought a grave affliction upon our family; as we grow through this dark time, I can still trust in God’s promise in I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
I’ve been praying for God’s mercy to spare his life; he’s a husband, a father with three children, youngest is seven. Yes, I asked God to please forgive me for my selfishness. To help me pray for his will to be done, he gently led to Proverbs 16:33. Thank God that my nephew personally knows the Lord; this brings much comfort knowing that I can trust in whole disposing thereof is of the Lord in his life. Hold unto God’s promise for my nephew and all believers as stated in Philippians 1:2, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” For several years I’ve been praying for the salvation of my loved ones; I pray that the Lord uses my nephew’s testimony during his illness to reach out to our family. Thank you for your prayers for my family.
As each of us faces, the lots cast into our laps, let’s reflect on James 1:2-2, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” It doesn’t matter how we start, but how we finish, trusting in the “whole disposing thereof is of the Lord” in our lives.
If you’re struggling, please don’t stop praying. Please don’t stop reading your bible. Please don’t stop going to church. Because you don’t know how God will answer your prayer.