Context No. 2972 of 4322 · Acts

Acts 1:21-26: in context

21“Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from the baptism of John to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23They put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen 25to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.” 26They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was counted with the eleven apostles.

The apostles need to replace Judas, and they set out clear criteria: the replacement must be someone who accompanied them the whole time Jesus went in and out among them, from John's baptism to the ascension, so that he can be a witness of the resurrection. Two men qualify, Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias. Then they pray, You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two you have chosen, and they cast lots, and the lot falls on Matthias.

Notice how they decide. They do the diligent human work first, defining the qualifications, narrowing the field to two suitable men, and then, unable to see into the heart, they pray and hand the final choice to God, who alone knows all hearts. It is a fine model. Do the careful discernment that is yours to do, and then give back to God the part only he can judge. They do not presume to know which man God wanted; they ask him to show it.

In my decisions, do I do the diligent discernment I can and then genuinely hand the rest to the God who knows every heart?

Sources

Acts 1:24: "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen."
Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD."
1 Samuel 16:7: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."