We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall (Proverbs 16:33 NLT). Sadly, gambling is a serious addiction for some, and the false hope of fortune is very deceiving. Lives are ruined by the obsession with money, and the Bible gives a strong warning about making riches a priority in life. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:9-10 NLT).
Maybe you or someone you know cannot let go of the hope of winning the jackpot. I know someone like that, and I’ve watched his life deteriorate over the years. Satan (the thief) comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), and he has so many ways—like an addiction--to accomplish that mission. John cautions us of three things that cause good people to crumble: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:16-17 NKJV).
The MESSAGE translation makes it a little clearer: Practically everything that goes on in the world — wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important — has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out — but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
For some of us, the biggest chance we’ve ever taken with dice is rolling them in the game of Monopoly. Not too much danger in those dice. Other chances we take in life have more serious consequences, especially when we disregard the Lord and what He may desire for us. How often do we plow forward with life, completely oblivious to God’s keen interest in us? Completely ignorant of His ways to guide and direct us as we make decisions?
Jesus said, in Luke 12:7, “…the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” We cannot go wrong to include the Lord in directing us in matters both small and great. He cares. If we put our trust in Him, He will not disappoint us. The challenge is to trust Him with all that we have and all that we are and to trust Him to determine how our dice will fall.
Take a gamble…on Jesus. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take, (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT). The MESSAGE translation says it like this: Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track.
We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they’ll fall.
© 2021, Chris Werre
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