Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, April 8, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Can God speak through casting lots? I find it fascinating that the disciples chose this method to select a replacement for Judas. It seems like it would be something they would view as conjuring, though I’m not sure of the context, honestly. It does make me wonder how anyone can be sure that the guidance they are getting—by whatever means—is actually from God, or if it’s an expression of self-will or group consensus or even mob mentality. Maybe in some ways it makes sense to do this very objective practice, entirely divorced from emotion, to make a decision. Of course, I’m not advocating that we consult dice or tarot cards or draw lots to tell us what God is saying. These things are entirely random. Not that God couldn’t work through them if God wanted to… I just hesitate to think God would want to.
I personally find it a good practice (in addition to prayer and meditation on an issue) to check in with a few trusted people in my life and get feedback. They have to be people who know me through and through and who are not afraid to be honest with me, even if it hurts my feelings in the moment. Far better to be confronted with an uncomfortable truth than to make a decision based on people-pleasing. And in my experience God speaks volumes through other people. This can be reinforced by serendipity (or vice versa) perhaps even in the casting of lots, but such things should probably be secondary at best.
How do I discern whether any guidance I receive is from God?
