Proverbs 16:33 - Providential Governance of Small Things

Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.

Message: Providential Governance of Small Things

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

God is Sovereign which means God actively controls all that occurs in His creation. He works out His purposes in all things. I believe God began this earth and world by creating all. He spoke and ordered creation and the world was created. Once He creates He then sustains that creation. Creation does not exist on its own. God did not simply start the process and then sit back and gets involved or not involved at certain times in history. Instead He is active.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism is a summary of Christian doctrine written in 1646 and 1647 and was meant to align the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. As such it provides a basis of reformation doctrine to help define our beliefs.

WSC 7 states - "The decrees of God are his eternal plan, according to the purpose of his will, by which, for his own glory, he has foreordained whatever comes to pass." God's plan is perfect and He makes everything work together for good. God does not author sin. Man still has free will or the human desire to act as he wills. Thus each person is accountable to their actions. We are not robots or puppets that God controls.

As I study and learn these principles which are summary statements based upon verses from the Bible, the conclusion is baffling to my finite mind. The Bible states that we choose, but God knows our choices and God works all things out to the purposes of his will. God is not waiting on man and then reacts to what He chooses. Yesterday's verse - Acts 17:26-27 - states that God appoints every nation on this earth for the purpose of seeking God. But, this doesn't mean that every nation seeks God. The point is that God governs the big things - nations and empires rule and have dominion over many and yet the point is that God is in control of those big things.

Just as God controls the big things of life, he also is over the small things. Proverbs 16:33 says that The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord. So as much as we want to think that there is chance even in flipping a coin or casting lots, this verse reminds us that, still, every decision is from the Lord.

Note: I think overall the difficulty is God is infinite and outside of time and we live in time and a sequence of events where the future follows the present. My senses is God knows our choices and the entire picture and in order to achieve His overarching outcomes ordains how all of these free will actions will work together for His glory.

Promise: The unexpected flat tire that delays us on the way to work is not unexpected from God's perspective. Whatever the reason, we can thank God in the midst of unplanned events because we know He has a good purpose for them.

Prayer: Lord, I am thankful for the way you orchestrate the events of my life. Many times I have been so close to an accident and even had an accident when it was the difference between a second. Lord, I want to trust You always for the outcomes of life. I still remain focused and work hard, for that is my will but help me always to trust You no matter what.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.