Proverbs 16:33, Is Life A Lottery?
November 6, Proverbs 16:33
John 9:1-7 “Whatever will thou makes, God is sure to be the Executor.”
Is Life A Lottery?
Walk though any shopping Mall today, and one is likely to see people lined up at the lottery booths to “take a chance” on the “millions” being offered to entice some “lucky” winner. Knowledge that the chance of winning the “big prize” is in the “millions to one” doesn’t deter people from buying into the millionaire dream. Gambling is an express train to ruin, but our governments care only for the revenue!
1. Man’s Life: The lot is cast into the lap. Dryden, the 17th century poet, said: “’Tis no matter what the multitude think; their judgment is a mere lottery.” Much in life seems to be a lottery to unbelievers! A preacher began his sermon on Mt. 10:30, The very hairs of your head are all numbered, by saying, “Why, some of you do not believe that even your heads are all numbered!” Is where and how one is born, or into what fame or obscurity, “a mere chance” (Ps. 139:16; Jer. 1:8; Mt. 5:45; Gal. 1:15-16)? Is God or chance in charge? Is not this lot to teach believers always to “depend and trust” in God’s will (Eph. 1:11)? Where one is “favoured” by the lot, the response must be to always use one’s gift humbly to God’s glory.
2. God’s Lot: The lot is related to lottery, but how different when seen as God’s Lot. Lots were usually cast to determine the divine will in some matter (Lev. 16:8; Nu. 26:55; Ps. 16:5-6, Acts 1:26). When pagan sailors cast lots, the result was directed by a sovereign God (Jon. 1:7). In Pr. 18:18 a lot was a way to settle disputes when done in dependence on God (Jos. 7:14; 18:10; Lv. 16:8). Our confidence is that, “if a Christian has to change his plans, it is always because God has something better in store” (Webb). This teaches us that a loving God, not blind chance is in control. This is clearly proved in the chances that happened to Joseph, to Esther, to Jonah, and why not to you and me? Remember, God will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able (1 Cor. 10:13).
3. Heaven’s Light: The whole disposing is of the Lord. “While providence supports, let saints securely dwell; that hand which bears all nature up shall guide his children well” (Doddridge). “After all, what silly and short-sighted children we are! Only spelling out the alphabet in God’s infant school, and yet aspiring to a seat in His cabinet! How differently our life-stories will read when we have a chance to correct them in the clear light of heaven! Then we shall discover under the head of Accidents there was written as in invisible ink, ‘The lot is cast into the lap, but the disposing thereof is of the Lord.’ On the page we had surrounded with black lines, and inscribed it Obituaries, we shall see how distinctly a Divine finger has written, ‘Whom I love I chasten’” (T.L.Cuyler). “The world is wide in Time and Tide, and God is Guide. Then do not hurry. That man is blest who does his best and leaves the rest. Then do not worry” (Dr. Deems).
Thought: “God’s providence is mine inheritance.” (Motto on an old house in Chester.)
Prayer: Lord, to trust at all times and have no anxious thoughts for the future.