{"id":23883,"date":"2025-01-01T21:04:07","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T21:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/?p=23883"},"modified":"2025-01-01T21:04:07","modified_gmt":"2025-01-01T21:04:07","slug":"divine-providence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/2025\/01\/divine-providence\/","title":{"rendered":"Divine Providence"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Posted by permission. Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel<\/a>.]<\/strong><\/p>\n

[Sermon preached at Bethel Chapel, Luton, by Mr. B. A. Ramsbottom,<\/b> <\/b>on Thursday, 22nd October, 1992]<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord\u201d\u2014Proverbs 16:33<\/i><\/p>\n

This is an immense verse. It includes everything, it embraces everything: the whole of creation, the whole of providence, the whole of redemption. And the point here is very simple: that it is all in the Lord\u2019s hands, that everything, great or small, past, present or to come, grace or providence, is in His hands. It is a wonderful mercy if we can realise it this evening, that all things \u2013 and that embraces everything \u2013 all things are in the Lord\u2019s hands. And then if we can feel this personally: \u201cMy times are in Thy hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap\u201d \u2013 everything. If only we could believe this; if only we believed what we do believe, that \u201cthe lot is cast into the lap,\u201d that \u201call must come, and last, and end, as shall please our heavenly Friend.\u201d It was this that was such a comfort to Paul. In the midst of his problems and perplexities and sorrows, he said, \u201cI would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.\u201d They had been cast into the lap by an all-wise, almighty, all-gracious God, and now they had not just happened. No, says Paul, they have fallen out. They have fallen out of the lap of providence, according to the counsel of God\u2019s will, for the honour and glory of God\u2019s name, for Paul\u2019s real, lasting good, for the good of the churches.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap.\u201d So things do not just happen; they do not just occur; they fall out according to an all-wise purpose. They fall out of this lap of divine providence. Paul says, \u201cI would ye should understand, brethren.\u201d Unbelief does not understand it; carnality does not understand it, but faith does. \u201cI would ye should understand.\u201d Everything seemed to be going wrong. Paul was in prison in Rome. He could no longer go round and preach the gospel. He could no longer visit the churches he loved. It seemed everything was going wrong, that Satan was triumphing. No, says Paul, everything is going right. It is according to God\u2019s counsel and will. These things which have happened to me, these things which are grieving you, causing you sorrow, they have fallen out unto the furtherance of the gospel.<\/p>\n

Why should it be that the great apostle should be there in prison in Rome? It seemed that his usefulness had come to an end. Why should it be? Paul says, \u201cUnto the furtherance of the gospel.\u201d Well, it is in two ways. First of all, there were some of the Lord\u2019s chosen hidden among the ruins of the fall in Rome, even in Caesar\u2019s household. Through the witness and ministry of Paul in prison in Rome they were going to be called out. Secondly, there were going to be those wonderful epistles from the prison in Rome, not just for the churches then, but for us today. \u201cI would ye should understand.\u201d Satan overreaches himself. He cannot cast the lot into the lap, neither can he take the lot out of the lap. He is chained.<\/p>\n

With Bunyan in prison in Bedford jail, it was God\u2019s appointment. Bunyan could no longer preach. Like Paul, he was in prison, but there the things he wrote have gone out throughout the world ever since for the comfort and edification of God\u2019s people. \u201cI would ye should understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Above all, the dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It was not by accident He went to Gethsemane and Calvary. \u201cHim, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God\u201d \u2013 that is, the lot cast into the lap and the lot falling out of the lap \u2013 \u201cye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified.\u201d It was no excuse for their sin; O but the things which have happened are fallen out unto the furtherance of the gospel. Apart from the cross of Christ there would not be <\/i>any gospel, let alone the furtherance of the gospel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d \u201cThe things which happened unto me\u201d \u2013 you may fit your own piece in there; I can fit my piece in there. What are these things which have happened unto you, or are happening unto you? \u201cI would ye should understand\u201d that they \u201chave fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.\u201d You say, this disappointment, this sorrow, this affliction \u2013 how can it be unto the furtherance of the gospel?<\/p>\n

\u201cJudge not the Lord by feeble sense,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But trust Him for His grace;<\/p>\n

Behind a frowning providence\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He hides a smiling face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis purposes will ripen fast,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfolding every hour;<\/p>\n

The bud may have a bitter taste,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But sweet will be the flower.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d So you have the whole wonderful mystery of divine providence here in this verse, God ordering everything, God controlling all things, God upon the throne, God doing \u201caccording to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot\u201d \u2013 everything \u2013 \u201cis cast into the lap.\u201d But the point here really is this: the things that seem most to a carnal mind to savour of mere chance, they are in the lap of providence. Literally, this word refers to the casting of lots. We read so much in Scripture about the casting of lots. For instance, Jonah on the ship, and then the election of an apostle. You can go through Scripture and think of so many places. The finding out of Achan after his sin, the lot was taken, the lost was cast. There were different ways, of course, in which it could be done. Perhaps a black stone and a white stone, and a hand takes one out, or a hand takes the other one out. But it all seemed so contingent, so uncertain. But the point is, even when a lot is cast, which way the lot falls, what it decides, is according to the eternal counsel of God in the covenant of grace.<\/p>\n

It just comes to my mind, that most strange, remarkable happening, I think it was in Germany many years ago when a young, godly man was most unjustly accused of murder. In the end, the real murderer was arrested and because a decision could not be reached, it was decided that one of them must die, but a lot would be cast to decide, and in this case it was two huge dice. Each of these two accused men was allowed to throw these two huge dice, and the one who got the bigger score would be set free, and the one who got the lesser score would be executed. Before this, a most solemn appeal was made to almighty God. The murderer was given the dice first, and could have got any number between two and twelve. Well, the murderer got the full score, two sixes, twelve. The godly man who was innocent lifted up his heart in prayer and dependence on the Lord. The people thought it was no use for him to throw, but with much prayer to the Lord, he threw these two dice. Now behold a miracle, a strange thing. The one dice came up showing a six, and the other one, as it hit the floor, splintered in such a strange way it came up showing a seven. So the impossible happened. \u201cThe lot is cast into the lap,\u201d even literally.<\/p>\n

So the allusion is to casting lots \u2013 in various ways. Because of this, we use the word lot <\/i>in everyday language as that portion which is appointed for us. We talk of a man having a very hard lot, or a man having an easy lot. Really, the origin of this is when the Promised Land of Canaan was divided between the twelve tribes by lot. So we have the word, something being \u201callotted\u201d to someone. So this word has its origin in the casting of lots. But the further meaning of it is the portion which is appointed for us, what our lot is in life, a lot of sorrow, or a lot of joy. The point here, \u201cthe lot is cast into the lap\u201d \u2013 not the lap of Satan, not the lap of sin, not the lap of blind fate \u2013 into the lap of an all-wise providence, an almighty God.<\/p>\n

So this is the wonderful doctrine of providence: nothing takes place by accident or by chance; all things are arranged; all things happen according to the purpose of God, yet in no way is God the author of sin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is an overruling providence,<\/p>\n

That wisely marshals every circumstance.\u201d<\/p>\n

That is, the lot of your life, the lot of my life, is cast into the lap, ordered by God, all things coming to pass according to His all-wise counsel, for His eternal glory, for our real, true, lasting good; everything in the Lord\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

Now as He casts your lot into the lap, He does not make any mistake. It is infinite wisdom which casts the lot into the lap, and the Lord\u2019s hand is almighty to accomplish His own purposes of love and mercy, and make everything work together for good. How much hangs on how little! The mighty things, the great things, the important events are cast into the lap. So is the numbering of the very hairs of your head. \u201cThe lot is cast into the lap.\u201d May you feel it tonight, that your lot, whatever it is, is cast into the lap of God\u2019s gracious providence. And what a mercy if you and I can sing tonight,<\/p>\n

\u201cThou givest me the lot<\/p>\n

Of those that fear Thy name;<\/p>\n

If endless life be their reward,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I shall possess the same\u201d!<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap.\u201d We see this especially in the life of Joseph, how the whole lot of Joseph\u2019s life was cast into the lap, and the whole disposing thereof was of the Lord. So at the end Joseph could say, \u201cYe thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.\u201d It was cast into the lap, and the whole disposing thereof was of the Lord. It was not according to the wishes of Joseph\u2019s cruel brethren or Potiphar\u2019s wife, or anything like that. The whole disposing thereof was of the Lord. He worked in a mysterious way His wonders to perform with Joseph (but it was not mysterious to God). We can never get beyond that word: \u201cBut He Himself knew what He would do.\u201d He always has; He always does.<\/p>\n

So through the life of Joseph from the moment when he left his home to go in search of his brethren, see how the whole lot was cast into the lap. He could not find his brethren, could he? Humanly speaking, he would have gone back home to his father. That would have been the end. But a man saw him wandering in the field. Why did that man see him wandering in the field? The man spoke to him and asked him what the trouble was, what he wanted. When Joseph told him he was seeking his brethren, the man said he had heard them say, \u201cLet us go to Dothan.\u201d Why had the man heard the remark, and why should he remember it, and why was it this man who should stumble upon Joseph? All this was in the mystery of divine providence, so that Joseph might be seized by his brethren, thrown into the pit, sold to the Midianites. Why were those Midianites passing, and why was it to Egypt they were bound? \u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith mercy and with judgment,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My web of time He wove.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sometimes as you look back, those trials you shrank from, you would not have one thing different tonight; that disappointment, you can see it was His appointment.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis providence unfolds the book,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And makes His counsels shine;<\/p>\n

Each opening leaf, and every stroke,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fulfils some deep design.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d The things you are in tonight, the things you have tomorrow, the whole of the unknown way, they are all in the gracious hands of your God.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d You see it also remarkably in the Book of Esther and the life of Esther. The name of God is not mentioned once in the whole book but His hand is seen in almost every verse. So much again hangs on so little. Mordecai rescued the king, saving his life. Why did the king forget? Why did he not reward him? Why should it be that Mordecai should have this sorrow, this ingratitude? And then there was Haman\u2019s cruel plot to destroy the Lord\u2019s people. \u201cThat night could not the king sleep.\u201d Why that night? Why not a different night? He would have a comfortable bed; he would have comfortable surroundings. But he could not sleep, and he decided to have some diversion. Why not something different? Why read a book? And why the book of the chronicles, and why turn to that page, and read that Mordecai had saved his life, and why make this decree that this man whom the king delighted to honour should be so favoured and exalted? Now it is morning, and Haman is waiting. \u201cWhat shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?\u201d Haman thinks, that is me. But it is Mordecai. \u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d Joseph\u2019s God, Esther\u2019s God, is still on the throne tonight. It is not a precarious throne. The government is still upon His shoulder. He is still almighty. He still reigns.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap.\u201d But in the Book of Esther in an absolutely literal sense we see this. What I am referring to is: at the beginning of the book, when Haman had permission from King Ahasuerus to destroy the whole of the Jewish nation, he cast lots which would be the best time for him to do it, thinking he was being wise, yet the lot fell the worst possible way for Haman and the best possible way for the persecuted people of God (Esther 3. 7). It was very many months ahead. Humanly speaking if the lot had fallen tomorrow, they would all have died without hope. This ungodly man takes the lot and casts it, but there is this loving God in heaven, His watchful eye over His people, and He decides which way the lot should fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d You can see it right through the Book of Daniel, God in control. Mighty monarchs making their plans, yet Nebuchadnezzar becoming as a beast, Belshazzar seeing the hand on the wall and that night being slain. \u201cThe lot is cast into the lap.\u201d Things do not happen by accident or chance. We live in a dying, changing world, but let us be clear: God is still in control. He will still have the last word. He will gather out His people. He will accomplish all His purposes, in judgment or in mercy. O but for His beloved people to be inside this, not outside it, to have a saving interest in it!<\/p>\n

\u201cAll things for us must work for good,<\/p>\n

For whom the Lamb has shed His blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap.\u201d God Himself has cast it there. Now beloved friends, let us come to this. In our concerns, our burdens, and our exercises, we are to cast all these things where almighty God has cast them from eternity, into His lap, not to try and manage them ourselves and not just to look at it in a way of stark fatalism. Let me personally by faith venture to the throne of grace, the blood-sprinkled mercy seat, and let me cast my lot into the Lord\u2019s lap. The thing which weighs heavily upon me, the thing which burdens me and casts me down, let me take that lot and cast it into the lap, and that is where the Lord has cast it from all eternity.<\/p>\n

The eternal Father says of His dear Son, \u201cI have laid help upon One that is mighty.\u201d That is, God in the covenant of grace saw all the help that all His people would ever need and He laid it on His dear Son. Personally, experimentally, faith comes in all our helplessness and need with a \u201cLord, help me,\u201d and we lay our help where the eternal Father has laid it from all eternity. So here we venture with our burden, and we cast it where the eternal Father has cast it from all eternity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d May we ever be kept there. In a word it is this: \u201cCasting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you\u201d \u2013 casting your lot into the lap. O the tremendous lot of our sins and our souls and a never-ending eternity! But O to be enabled by precious faith to venture and to cast our everlasting all into the lap!<\/p>\n

\u201cMy soul into Thy arms I cast;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I trust I shall be saved at last.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like David, \u201cLet me fall now into the hand of the Lord.\u201d No sinner ever perished there.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap.\u201d You have things in your family that are concerning you. Can you cast those into the lap instead of trying to manage them yourselves? You have things concerning the church of God. Can you cast them into the lap? The Lord is more concerned about Zion than you and me. You have tomorrow. Can you cast it into the lap? You have your troubles, your problems, your perplexities. Can you cast them into the lap? Some of you have things in your business. Some of you are concerned about the future, the unknown way, what may happen to you, what may not happen to you. Can you cast it all into the lap, like Ruth when she came softly by night and cast all her concerns into the lap of Boaz? \u201cSit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.\u201d \u201cMy daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap.\u201d You know what your lot is tonight; I know what my lot is tonight \u2013 the things which concern us, the things which burden us, the things which try us and tempt us, the things which weigh us down. May you be enabled to cast them into the lap. \u201cCommit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.\u201d Now you are safe there, and your concerns are safe there, as \u201cHe engaged to manage all, by the way and to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

And then you see, \u201cthe whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d Now it is not accident or chance or Satan. It is the Lord who is going to dispose it. Well then, tell me, how is the Lord going to dispose this lot that you have cast into the lap? First of all, He is going to be with you and bless you with His gracious presence. \u201cFor He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.\u201d That is the way in which He is going to dispose of your lot. He is going to make all things work together for your good. \u201cAnd we know\u201d \u2013 we do not always feel it, we cannot always see it \u2013 but, \u201cwe know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo His church, His joy, and treasure,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every trial works for good;<\/p>\n

They are dealt in weight and measure,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet how little understood!<\/p>\n

Not in anger,<\/p>\n

But from His dear covenant love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d How is He going to dispose of it? He is going to enable you to depend on Him, to look to Him, to hang upon His tried, almighty arm. How is He going to dispose of that lot? Why, He is going to uphold you with the right hand of His righteousness. When you feel perhaps that lot is so heavy you are going to sink under it, He is going to uphold you. \u201cFear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.\u201d \u201cEven there <\/i>shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.\u201d \u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.\u201d How is the Lord going to dispose of this lot? He is going to command deliverance for Jacob. He says, \u201cCall upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Cast,\u2019 He said, \u2018on Me thy care;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2019Tis enough that I am nigh;<\/p>\n

I will all thy burdens bear;<\/p>\n

I will all thy needs supply.\u2019\u201c<\/p>\n

Now there is a scripture here we can live on and we can die on, because there is heaven in it. He is determined to bring to glory at last all those to whom He makes all things work together for good. A good, gracious, merciful, compassionate, almighty God. \u201cThe lot is cast into the lap.\u201d Well, is it? Have you been sweetly enabled to cast your <\/i>lot into the lap? Then, \u201cthe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord,\u201d for your good, for His glory.<\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is an immense verse. It includes everything, it embraces everything: the whole of creation, the whole of providence, the whole of redemption. And the point here is very simple: that it is all in the Lord\u2019s hands, that everything, great or small, past, present or to come, grace or providence, is in His hands. It is a wonderful mercy if we can realise it this evening, that all things \u2013 and that embraces everything \u2013 all things are in the Lord\u2019s hands. And then if we can feel this personally: \u201cMy times are in Thy hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lot is cast into the lap\u201d \u2013 everything. If only we could believe this; if only we believed what we do believe, that \u201cthe lot is cast into the lap,\u201d that \u201call must come, and last, and end, as shall please our heavenly Friend.\u201d It was this that was such a comfort to Paul. In the midst of his problems and perplexities and sorrows, he said, \u201cI would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.\u201d They had been cast into the lap by an all-wise, almighty, all-gracious God, and now they had not just happened. No, says Paul, they have fallen out. They have fallen out of the lap of providence, according to the counsel of God\u2019s will, for the honour and glory of God\u2019s name, for Paul\u2019s real, lasting good, for the good of the churches.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":481,"featured_media":22562,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1729],"tags":[1252],"class_list":["post-23883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-benjamin-ramsbottom","tag-providence"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/481"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23883"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23883\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23885,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23883\/revisions\/23885"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}