The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proberbs 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.”

Luke 1:5-10, “In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
7 And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
8 Now it came about, while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,
9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.”

This Letter is born out of a telephone conversation I had recently with a long-time friend. We were discussing our spiritual ventures and how the LORD had worked miraculously to lead us into His paths of righteousness. Even before one of us was saved, the LORD withheld information that could have put us on different paths. At other times, He directed our pathways in strange and miraculous ways, bringing us into blessing we could never have encountered without Him.

Such was the way of Old Testament people and the way of Zacharias in our text above. Casting lots was somewhat similar to the casting of dice; yet, it was thoroughly spiritual in nature. Such was never given to chance! Remember that all that is contained in the verses above occurred prior to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Notice too, that the people not directly involved in the priesthood, were praying as the lots were cast.

Faith in the LORD is always to be trusted above mere chance. Earnest prayer is answered by the LORD, and we must always understand and acknowledge His involvement in the process. Nothing, absolutely NOTHING happens by chance! Sometimes, He blots out our thinking; sometimes, He permits us to know and say things we had neither prepared nor ever intended to say. The key to what He withholds or permits is divinely controlled and inextricably linked with prayer. Oh, how vital it is that we know Him in salvation; for then His indwelling Spirit will enable our prayers to coincide with His divine will to produce blessing in our lives and in the lives of others!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom