from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church https://ift.tt/2TpcV29
via IFTTT And they drew lots. Chance. Random chance or God directed chance. A system used throughout the Bible, up until this final instance. When a difficult choice faced God's people, they often turned to such measures to know God's direction. In fact, many believe that back in old Israel the objects called "the urim and thummin" utilized by the priests was a chance type approach. We do not know for sure, but could be. The important point here is this: here was the last time in recorded Bible history. Why? Because soon after this time, the Holy Spirit was given! Jesus had accomplished His mission, freed man from the condemnation of sin. Therefore man could once again become clean and thereby become the temple of God. Holiness could touch man for the first time since the fall in the garden. One important result is that God could once again dwell with man and communicate directly with him. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of God Himself, who fills man's heart and leads us in all truth. That includes understanding as well as direction on what to do. No more need for chance! You don't see the apostles casting lots for decisions about anything once the Holy Spirit entered. No! They knew God's will because the voice and leadership of God is inside, constantly whispering, always, on everything, 24x7. What a blessing! What peace! You don't need to cast lots! You can follow the directions and guidance of God! A great example of this is Israel in the desert. How did they know when and where to go through the wilderness for 40 years? They followed a physical cloud by day and FIRE by night. The fire of the Holy ghost now lives inside us showing us the way. At Pentecost tongues of fire descended on all present. That is the fire the lights our way on our desert. Following the Holy Spirit is always a choice. God does not force us. We must choose to follow, every minute of every day. We can choose the wrong path, but if we are constantly humble and seeking, He will lead us in all truth. Life is full of questions, choices. Scripture shows us the guidelines. All is laid out, no area of life is left without a biblical standard and direction. Yet specific instances can be hard to choose. This job or that? This word or that? This door or that? We need that still small voice of wisdom to guide us in day to day lives. This is why Jesus said to "wait until power comes from on high". Power to know what path is right, power to do what's right. No longer blindly casting lots trusting God to make them fall His way. Now we KNOW what is the way. This is real. This is today. You can be directed in all things. You can know the mind of Christ. Today and always. Seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit and then learn to listen. Nothing is more important for the treacherous day in which we live. Know the mind of Christ.
