Saying that the last few years have been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Kenya has gone through its fair share of protests that have brought the country to a standstill on several occasions. The geopolitical climate is by no means any better. We have had conflicts and wars that have completely kneecapped global economics. When you think it is all starting to cool down, something comes along to upend it.
From this, we see that we live in a world of uncertainties. One day, you have your loved one with you; the next, they are gone. The line between peace and anarchy has never been so thin. If anything, this may be used to reinvigorate the idea that nothing is sure about our lives. However, it should be a means to point us to the only certainty we will ever have. For me, it has reaffirmed that every single molecule is cared for by One beyond us. Some of the events I mentioned might have had severe ramifications if they had gone differently. However, they didn’t, and that’s because of our only certainty. Thus, from this article, using Proverbs 16:33, I will seek to show you why all of our uncertainties are meant to point us to the certainty that can be found in God. Not only found in Him, but also He is our certainty.
The Lot is Cast Into The Lap
Let’s begin with what lots are. First, I will use two of its dictionary definitions that serve the purpose of this article. The first of the two is this: deciding by random selection, especially by choosing one from several pieces of folded paper, one of which has a concealed mark. The second definition is a person’s luck, situation, or destiny. In short, as written in Proverbs 16:33, the idea of lots is based on chance rather than on any definitive outcome.
Lots In The Bible
What of lots in the Bible? In the Bible, lots were used to determine God’s will. They were used before the advent of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. I say that to dash the idea that we can use lots today. The Holy Spirit is now our guide into God’s truth and will (John 16:33). He does this through Scripture, which is enough to make us complete and equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). However, before the Spirit’s advent, lots were a primary means of determining God’s will.
There are many examples of the use of lots in the Bible. When the Israelites were apportioning the remaining land in Canaan, they used lots (Joshua 18:6). Lots were also used during David’s reign to divide the priests (1 Chronicles 24:5), musicians (1 Chronicles 25:8), and gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 26:13). They were also used to assign the wood offering to various priestly houses during Nehemiah’s time as well as determine the one out of ten who would live in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 10:34; 11:1). They were also famously used to determine that Jonah had angered God (Jonah 1:7). The last act of using lots to determine God’s will was when the disciples replaced Judas (Acts 1:26).
These examples show that lots were, as the dictionary defines, random selections. Our lives generally follow the same pattern. You may think you have finally mastered the routine, yet something completely throws it off balance. That might be sickness, an accident, a family issue, a church issue, etc. These are the uncertainties I am speaking of. Yet, as I shall show, though they seem random, they aren’t.
The Choice is Ours
However, before I get there, we have the second part of the verse, which reads, ‘cast into the lap.’ We can infer from that part that, in light of those uncertainties, we have a decision to make, even though the decision is ultimately God’s.
God has sovereignly ordained our actions, yet we still have to choose. Yes, God is the author of our faith and, by grace, sovereignly saves us (Ephesians 2:1-10). Yet, we are to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, for then we shall be saved (Romans 10:9). Yes, it was prophesied that Judas would betray Jesus. Yet, it would have been better if he wasn’t born, as the decision to betray Him was still his to make (Matthew 26:24, John 6:64). It was prophesied that Jesus’ clothes would be divided by lot (Psalm 22:18). The Romans dividing them even though ordained was by no means coerced (Matthew 26:35).
In short, just like flipping a coin, the one asked still gets to choose heads or tails. If they don’t get what they want, the blame for the failure doesn’t go to the one who flipped the coin. Christian, where do you turn your gaze in light of life’s uncertainties? When the lot is cast into your lap, do you fully trust in the One who makes the decisions for all the lots, or do you trust yourself? If your answer is ‘I trust the decision maker’, then the second part of Proverbs 16:33 is for your good. However, if not, then you should dread the second part. Now, onto the second part.
God’s Purposeful Sovereignty
Why are even lots not something that happens by chance? The second part of Proverbs 16:33 answers that for us. Every decision made in heaven, on earth, and under the earth is God-ordained. Nothing happens by chance, as the One who created the known universe upholds it by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). Nothing catches Him flat-footed, including the evils we face. As Joseph told his brothers, “What you meant for evil, He used it for good” (Genesis 50:20). In short, the Christian’s answers to life’s uncertainties can only be found by looking to God. I would venture to say not just the Christian but the unbeliever as well. Why? Because not only is our certainty found in Him, but He is our certainty.
The Christian’s Lot
Thus, dear Christian, we aren’t to grow weary or fainthearted (Hebrews 12:1-5).
Just like Christ, we must entrust ourselves to He who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). We must trust that the One who told us that all things are working for good for those who are called His children means so (Romans 8:28). How do we know He means it? The greatest crime in the history of humanity was still part of God’s grand design. The crime was man crucifying God’s Son. Before the foundation of the world, God had purposed that Jesus would die and suffer for the sins of many (Ephesians 1:3-10, Acts 2:23-24). Confirmed it through Prophets like Isaiah, 700 years before Christ’s advent (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). It is for this reason that Jesus could willingly accept to be reviled (1 Peter 2:23). It is for this reason that He could willingly endure all manner of shame (Hebrews 12:2). He looked to the joy set before Him for He knew that His Father wouldn’t fail Him.
Nothing Can Thwart His Hand
You’d be inclined to believe that anything could thwart His hand. However, as we have established through Christ, that’s impossible. What of government, you’d say. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that the king’s heart is a stream of water in God’s hand, turning it wherever He wills. Cyrus is a clear example of this (Isaiah 45:1-7). He was a pagan King, and the decisions he made regarding Israel were for political gain. Yet, Isaiah, almost a century before, prophesied not only of these events but of the man who’d orchestrate them. In short, even when there’s terrible government, look to Him. Trust that truly the King’s heart is in God’s hand.
What of those in the world? Is it my job to make the gospel palatable to them? What if they hate me for telling the gospel as is? Understand that it’s not your job to save them and trust that the God who opened up the heart of Lydia (Acts 16:14) will open theirs. Trusting and not being ashamed of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). We are to proclaim it (Romans 10:17) without watering it down in the hope that it will be acceptable to them. Besides, for the world, it is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Thus, you can’t make it make sense to them unless you don’t proclaim it. In short, our certainty can only be found when we trust in God.
Proclaim Him No Matter The Cost
What if the world hates me for living out the gospel and, as a result, seeks my harm? This may be at work, home, government offices, etc. If that’s the case, look to the One who promised He won’t forsake you. Since this is true, our mindset should be: what can man do to us if God is on our side (Hebrews 13:5-6). Jesus, fleshing this out a bit further, said that we aren’t to fear those who may kill the body and not the soul. He shows why we aren’t to be afraid, and that’s because the same God who cares for the sparrows cares for us much more (Matthew 10:24-30).
Thus, we are to love Him more than anything else. We are to proclaim Him and confess Him before men. Why? Because our toil will not be in vain, and we will not lose our reward (1 Corinthians 15:58, Matthew 10:40). A crown of righteousness is laid up for us in heaven (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Dear Christian, fight the good fight no matter the uncertainty, for our certainty is eternal and unchanging.
The Unbeliever’s Lot
However, the uncertainties of life are even more uncertain for the unbeliever. For the unbeliever, this is the only life that matters. So long as it is today, those uncertainties can be turned into absolute certainty. All that you need to do is, when you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts (Hebrews 3:7-11). We live under a Sovereign God who can do whatever He wants (Psalm 115:3). Yet, He chooses to be mindful of us (Psalm 8:4). He is the God who is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, not treating us as we ought to be (Psalm 103:8-10).
The Cure For Your Uncertainties
Do you want to find a cure for your uncertainties? Look to the One who sent His Only Son to die on a wooden cross. All so that the curse that sin had brought on you will be done away with (Galatians 3:10-14). Look to the One who, despite having no reason to be mindful of us, as we are the ones who need Him (Acts 17:24-28), sent His Son to reconcile us to Himself (Romans 5:1-11). Look to the One who says that we aren’t to be anxious about anything, but through prayer and supplication, we are to make our needs known to Him (Philippians 4:6-7). Why? By doing so, He will guard our hearts and minds from life’s uncertainties in Christ.
Look to the One who says we are worth more than any animal & plant He created and cares for. He also says He will see us through if we seek Him first (Matthew 6:25-34). Look to the One who says nothing can separate us from His love. The list Paul uses includes life’s uncertainties (Romans 8:35-39). Look to the One who has promised that creation will be freed from her futility into the freedom of the glory of the children of God (Romans 8:20). Finally, look to the One who has promised that through Christ to conform the body of our humble state to the body of His glory (Philippians 3:20-21).
Kiss the Son, Lest He be Angry
However, if you choose not to live as a citizen of heaven, you should dread the statement, ‘its every decision is from the Lord.’ If you don’t kiss the Son, He will be angry, and you will perish in the way (Psalm 2:12). For you, the uncertainties of life will be better than what awaits you should you harden your heart. As Jesus said, it would be more tolerable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you (Matthew 11:20-24).
As I have said, God is slow to anger and abundant in steadfast love. However, the verse that follows it in Psalm 103 shows how that slowness will not be eternal (Psalm 103:9). A day is coming when He will deal with us as we deserve. The question for you is whether Christ will have dealt with what you deserve or if you will have to deal with it. As Scriptures repeatedly show, woe are you if the answer is the latter. Heed the warning of the author of Hebrews (Hebrews 3:7-12), or your uncertainty will turn to a certainty you don’t want to face.
The Certainty in Our Triune God
To finish, I will focus on each member of the Trinity. We shall see how each member brings out a distinct yet similar certainty in our uncertainties.
God The Father
The greatest certainty that the Father could ever give us is that nothing happens without His authorization. Even when Satan tormented Job, he didn’t do it without God’s approval (Job 1:6-12). In short, even the worst of calamities are within God’s control. Nothing, not even evil, can thwart God’s good purpose. Using the example of Joseph, the evil that His brothers did, by the grace of God, led to their salvation (Genesis 50:20). Using the example of Job, the calamities brought about by Satan led to a reinforced trust in God. This happened after God talked to Him directly (Job 42:1-6), reminding Job that He reigns.
However, this shouldn’t be taken to mean that evil is justified because God allows it. If that were true, verses such as Psalm 2:12; 5:5-6, etc., wouldn’t exist. It would also invalidate Christ’s sacrifice.
The certainty we have because of God’s sovereignty should cause us not to be anxious about life’s uncertainties. As the Psalmist said, He is our good shepherd; we shall not want (Psalm 23:1). We shall fear no evil or any man, for we know He shall be with us (Psalm 23:4, Hebrews 13:5-6). Because He has chosen and not rejected us, we are to fear not, for He will be with us to the end (Isaiah 41:9-10). All we must do is trust in Him, for He will order our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Let’s look to the One who, by His will, has redeemed us.
God The Son
Let’s also look to the One who purchased our redemption. If the Father is the initiator, He is the One who acts on the Father’s initiatives. Our certainty is that if we believe in Him, we are guaranteed eternal life (John 6:37-40). He is Jesus Christ. He has promised that those who come to Him will never hunger and those who believe in Him will never thirst (John 6:36). Why? Because those who are His, He will never cast out, for He holds us fast (John 6:37). We are reminded by the author of Hebrews that Christ has saved us to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25). Thus, we are to hold fast to the confession of our hope, for He who has promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).
We aren’t to look back at what came before. Instead, since we serve One who is faithful, we are to press on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus (Philippians 3:14). We are to look to the One who says even though we will have tribulation, peace will still rule our hearts. Why? For He has overcome the world (John 16:33). We look to the One who isn’t a servant inside the house but its builder and Master (Hebrews 3:1-6).
Let’s look to the One who, by His blood, has made it possible for us to stand before God’s presence blameless and with great joy (Jude 24-25).
God The Holy Spirit
Finally, let’s look to the One through whom our certainty is guaranteed. We know we will be with Christ forever, for He dwells within us (Romans 8:11). Through Him, we have the confidence that we are indeed God’s children (Romans 8:14-17). Through Him dwelling in us, we have the confidence that the sons of God will be revealed (Romans 8:18-25). We can rejoice in our tribulations for the hope they will bring that won’t put us to shame. It will not shame us because of God’s love poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us (Romans 5:5). The Father initiates, the Son acts, and the Spirit enforces and implements Christ’s actions into eternity.
The Spirit helps guide our eyes towards the absolute certainty that is God (John 16:12-14). He is also our glimpse into the sure inheritance of being sons of God. When we are sure that He is dwelling in us (2 Peter 1:5-11), we can rest easily, knowing that in Him our inheritance is sealed (Ephesians 1:13-14). In short, our inheritance isn’t sealed by us but by the Spirit. We can glean from this that unless the Holy Spirit chooses to unseal our inheritance, then all will be well. However, He guarantees what Christ has approved; as already mentioned, those who are part of Christ are His forever. With Him as our guarantee, nothing can stop us from being with God forever in His kingdom.
Let us look to the One who guarantees and reminds us of who we are in Christ and what we have in Him.
Trust Him and Go
What should be our response to the certainty God brings into life’s uncertainties? Our response shouldn’t be to sit down and wait. Instead, we are to be like Abraham, who, though unsure of where he was headed, packed his belongings and left, for he trusted in the God who assured Him (Genesis 12:4). Most of us fail at that, for we assume that we are to do so because He is in control. However, as Paul writes to the Romans, we are to wake up, for salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Look at the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Their confidence in God didn’t make them sit down because He was in control. It made them more active, for they knew they were striving for a better city and country whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10, 16).
Dear saint, because you are a citizen of heaven, may you strive daily to live as a citizen of heaven here on earth to the praise of His glorious grace.