The Witness of the Holy Spirit

“The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing of it is from Jehovah.” (Proverbs 16:33)

The Jews of ancient times knew that the Lord God had ways of making His Will known to them. They had their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) whom God spoke to and gave them the Law. They had their judges then kings and prophets who spoke on God’s behalf for the tribes. But in ordinary situations, they were not sure what was God’s Will, so they drew lots of different sorts to determine what to do. They did not have the Holy Spirit to guide them. The Holy Spirit didn’t come until after the ascension of Jesus to heaven. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live in us and to lead and help us in our everyday life.

There was Gideon at a time when because of their disobedience, the Midianites and the Amalekites would come against them and destroy the land after they had sown their wheat. (Judges 6:3-6) The Angel of the Lord (the Lord Jesus) appeared to Gideon who at the time was threshing wheat to hide it from the Midianites. The Lord appeared to him, called him mighty warrior and told him that He was sending him to save Israel from the Midianites. (Judges 6:14) But even with the Lord revealing Himself and giving Gideon a sign, Gideon still doubted and hesitated doing what the Lord wanted him to do. (Judges 6:17-22, 36) Gideon in that ancient world mentality put out a fleece of wool one night saying that if the dew was only on the fleece, then it was God’s Will for him to save Israel. When that happened, he still doubted and put out the fleece again saying if the ground was covered in dew but not the fleece then it was God’s Will for him to save Israel. (Judges 6:36-40)

The people determined God’s Will by such tests and lots because they didn’t have the Holy Spirit of God to lead them. They believed that God would determine who would do whatever that was needed to do or to determine what to do. Solomon in the wisdom that God gave him, summarized this process. They would cast lots and leave the results to God. This happened to Jonah when he was escaping God’s command to warn Ninevah of God’s judgement because of their wickedness. He was on his way to Tarshish on a boat when a storm arose. The seamen decided to cast lots to find out who had caused that “evil” to come against them. And the lot landed on Jonah. (Jonah 1:3-8) He confessed his disobedience to God to them and told them to throw him over the side and they sea would calm. (Jonah 1:9-12) They threw him overboard and the storm stopped. (Jonah 1:15) But we don’t have to cast lots. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us supernatural knowledge of things. “However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.” (John 16:13)

 The Holy Spirit is in continual communion with the Father and Jesus. They are One. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one! (John 10:30) This is a concept we don’t really understand. We accept that They are One, three persons in One God. When we are led by the Holy Spirit, we are doing God’s Will. God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have determined as One the Will of God, whether it’s a small thing or a big thing. We move as the Holy Spirit leads us. “But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

How do we know? There is a peace within us. When we do something that is against God’s Will, even if it’s a good thing, there will be a hesitation in our human spirit. It is not fear, because God is not fear. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2Timothy 1:7) Fear is from the enemy. But it’s like a troubling hesitation that this is not what God wants. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:16) Just as the Holy Spirit witnesses to us that we are the children of God, He lets us know what Truth is and what we should do. Of course, anything that is against what the Word of God and what the Gospel teaches, is against God’s Will. That is a certain given. We can use three criteria if we’re not sure. 1) Does it agree with God’s Word? 2) Does it glorify God? Jesus? 3) Is there peace about it? Using these three questions will settle the question.

In short, God did let the people determine His Will through casting lots, but that is because they didn’t have any personal guidance from God like we do who have the Holy Spirit. Today we shouldn’t use such methods because we have the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray:

Father God, I thank You that even in times when I am at a lost at what to do, You have provided the answer and guidance I need. You are merciful to Your glorious creation, man, and help him even when they are far from You. Your great love is always providing what we need. My Lord, I thank You for the Holy Spirit who lives in me and gives me counsel and guidance in all my affairs when I turn to Him. He is always with me and always in union with the Father and Jesus. So, I know that You my Lord are giving me the best instruction and direction. I cannot go wrong when I listen to You. Let me hear the still quiet voice of the Holy Spirit above the din and clamor of the world and of the flesh. Let me obey Your guidance even if it makes no sense in my experience and the reasoning of the world. Your omniscience is greater and wiser than any experience, knowledge or reasoning that I might have or that the world offers. So, I trust You my Lord and my God, with all of my heart. I love You and I thank You for Your Love and care. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.