Is this a good way to tell the will of God?

Pop D. said:

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

So does this mean, when making decisions on what to do, if I pray to the Lord to speak to me through the results of coin flips, will He do it?

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Well, first off, some verses. @Paul4JC used these verses in his explanation of why we should not bet on spiritual teachings.



And here is my explanation:

Pop D., the Proverbs 16:33 verse you quoted indicates that the outcome of events, including the casting of lots, is ultimately in God's hands. It does not suggest that God will directly communicate through the results of a coin flip or any other form of divination. Instead, it emphasizes the sovereignty of God in all things and encourages trust in His plan for your life.

If you're seeking guidance on making decisions, consider prayerfully seeking wisdom from God through the study of His Word, consultation with wise and trusted Christian mentors, or reflecting on the fruits of potential actions. Trust in God's guidance and wisdom as you navigate life's challenges.

I dunno... remember they prayed and cast lots to determine who should replace Judas - Acts 1:21-26. And Gideon prayed and threw the fleece down to discern God's will, twice - Judges 6:36-40.

Pop D. said:

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

So does this mean, when making decisions on what to do, if I pray to the Lord to speak to me through the results of coin flips, will He do it?

Click to expand...

Let us reason. Proverbs 16:33 refers to the idea that even things that seem like chance are ultimately under God's will.
Blessings

I found this explanation:

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. The “lot” (“lots” – plural) was an ancient method to determine choices. Casting lots was not a game, but a method to determine God's will and all those involved were apparently willing to accept the outcome.

Pop D. said:

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

So does this mean, when making decisions on what to do, if I pray to the Lord to speak to me through the results of coin flips, will He do it?

Click to expand...

This proverb emphasizes the Lord's sovereign control over all things.

Even those things we perceive as determined by chance are in the Lord's control (Psalm 16:5).

This proverb points out that even those things we think of as "pure chance" are still under God's sovereign control.

The will of God .... our decisions are our own ... we are to make them in accordance to biblical principles and prayer.

No God don't act according to coin flips.

Example

The Apostles did not merely roll dice to fill Judas' vacant position. They sought the Lord's will from Scripture, someone with a similar testimony to theirs', then they prayed, and followed Proverbs 16:33, "the lot is cast...but every decision is from the Lord." So trusting in God's sovereignty, the Apostles selected Matthias by lot.

Pop D. said:

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

So does this mean, when making decisions on what to do, if I pray to the Lord to speak to me through the results of coin flips, will He do it?

Click to expand...

Something similar was used in ancient times but by using a coin, you are limiting God's assumed answer to only two options. Maybe God has a third way?

God may well direct you via coin toss or He may not. Not my place to answer for Him.

"The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make." Col 3:15 (Good News Translation)

Pop D. said:

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

So does this mean, when making decisions on what to do, if I pray to the Lord to speak to me through the results of coin flips, will He do it?

Click to expand...

Yes, the disciples used lots to choose Matthias. But they admitted they did not know the hearts of the men, but only God did. Plus, they had only two choices whom they offered to the Lord. And at the time they did that, they were not mature Christians with decades of growing and experience in communicating with God and being personally guided by Him.

So, they used a method limited to their ability to be guided by God, and limiting the number of choices.

My opinion is that as we grow in Jesus, we become able to be guided at every moment. And often we are brought to more and better than we may be thinking about doing. Because with maturity comes creativity . . . in sharing with our Creator, for how to love any person.

So, I would say be open to God, for how He has you able to communicate with Him, ready to discover how this develops.

So, I would not limit myself to some method, like casting lots; because this can be impersonal - - not personally sharing and communicating with God. It can make God theoretical, as though He is at some distance, and even being controlled and limited in how He can communicate with us.

I forgot who was that said, " God is not your bellhop"


NIV 1984
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord .

The important thing, is not the lot, but the lap. If we persevere in prayer and know matters are in God's lap, then we know we have our answer.

16:1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.

We must look fully to the Lord alone for the reply. This is what prayer is about, laying our plans and ambitions out before the Lord, as he know our hearts.

16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps

In doing so God will make things clear, or clear the way.

2:3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

God knows if we really mean business or are just bluffing.

We are all familiar with 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and
he will make your paths straight.

So again it's all about being focused on the Lord. Take time to pray.
Again it's not about the lot.






(btw, I was kinda quoted out of context in post #2, but I know Alex meant well. Betting and lots are two different issues.)

Note: The Proverbs are Soloman's but he got them from his father, King David, and we know David was a man of prayer. [Act 13:22b ESV] of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'

Paul4JC said:

I forgot who was that said, " God is not your bellhop"


NIV 1984
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord .

The important thing, is not the lot, but the lap. If we persevere in prayer and know matters are in God's lap, then we know we have our answer.

16:1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.

We must look fully to the Lord alone for the reply. This is what prayer is about, laying our plans and ambitions out before the Lord, as he know our hearts.

16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps

In doing so God will make things clear, or clear the way.

2:3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

God knows if we really mean business or are just bluffing.

We are all familiar with 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and
he will make your paths straight.

So again it's all about being focused on the Lord. Take time to pray.
Again it's not about the lot.






(btw, I was kinda quoted out of context in post #2, but I know Alex meant well. Betting and lots are two different issues.)

Note: The Proverbs are Soloman's but he got them from his father, King David, and we know David was a man of prayer. [Act 13:22b ESV] of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'

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The quote you said is below. I found it for you.

"Prayer is not magic. God is not a celestial bellhop ready at our beck and call to satisfy our every whim."
- R.C. Sproul (1939-2017)


Quote analysis:

The quote by R.C. Sproul emphasizes the importance of understanding the true nature of prayer and our relationship with God, rather than viewing it as a means to manipulate Him or fulfill our desires like a celestial bellhop.

Metaphorically, the idea of God being a "celestial bellhop" implies a shallow and consumeristic view of prayer, where we treat God as if He exists solely to cater to our every need or want. However, the Bible paints a much richer and deeper picture of prayer and our relationship with God.

In Matthew 6:5-15 (Bible Gateway link), Jesus teaches us to pray in a way that honors God and aligns with His will. He urges us not to use hollow or empty words, but rather to seek His kingdom and righteousness first. In doing so, our needs will be met as well (Matthew 6:33, Bible Gateway link). This passage highlights that prayer is not a means to manipulate God or to merely satisfy our desires, but rather an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Him and seek His will for our lives.

Additionally, in 1 John 5:14-15 (Bible Gateway link), we read that God hears our prayers and is faithful to answer them if they align with His will. This verse emphasizes the importance of praying according to God's will, rather than presuming that He exists only to fulfill our desires.

TLDR: R.C. Sproul's quote reminds us of the importance of understanding prayer as a means to deepen our relationship with God and seek His will, rather than treating Him like a celestial bellhop. The Bible supports this perspective through teachings on the importance of seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, and understanding that He answers our prayers according to His will.

Hello @Pop D., I think that you may enjoy and find the following lecture by Dr. R. C. Sproul (called God's Will and the Bible) to be both helpful and a blessing to you as it addresses your title question directly after a short opening.

I believe that it was originally recorded to be part of Dr. Sproul's broadcast ministry called, Renewing Your Mind.

This particular teaching talks about what to do ~AND~ what NOT to do when seeking to find God's will for your life, just FYI.


God bless you!!

--David