The Lord Knows the Heart
"You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all..." NKJV (Acts 1:24)
"We are sorry, but you have not been chosen."
Have you ever received a letter in the mail or opened an email to read something like that first line? You are hopeful - only to be almost immediately informed that the position or award you were aiming for is not coming your way!
The opening of the book of Acts is one of the most exciting moments in the story of God and the world. It follows the unbelievable victory of Jesus Christ. What is going to happen next?
Acts 1 is filled with wonder. Jesus presents Himself alive for 40 days, teaches about God's kingdom, and reminds the disciples that the Holy Spirit will soon empower them. Then, Jesus ascends into heaven, leaving the disciples with scripture and prayer. It is important to remember that in Acts 1, they do not yet have the promised Spirit.
Peter leads a discussion among the believers: someone is missing, and his position needs to be filled. A choice must be made. Peter lays out the qualifications (Acts 1:22-23), and two men—out of the 120 present - are put forward: Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias.
If you notice in your reading, the original apostles were chosen by Jesus Himself (Acts 1:2). But now, Jesus has ascended to heaven, and the Holy Spirit has not yet come. How will this choice be made?
They fully trust that the Lord will guide the decision. What is it about the Lord that makes Him uniquely qualified to choose?
"You, OLord, who know the hearts of all..." (Acts 1:24)
Matthias is ultimately chosen by casting lots.
Here’s the question: if you were Joseph, how would you feel knowing that the Lord perceived something in Matthias that made him the preferred choice?
"Thank you for your interest in the position of apostle, but sadly, you have not been chosen."
Before dwelling too much on disappointment or frustration, let us remember that Christians are committed to the Lordship of Jesus. This means we trust that He is in control, He knows what is best, and He appoints people for specific missions according to His divine plan.
Though Joseph was not chosen as an apostle, the Lord surely had other ways to use him.
The key to Joseph’s success (and ours) is to remember that personal ambition and a desire for status are not the marks of a true disciple. He had to trust that Jesus knew something about both men that made Matthias the right choice.
Ultimately, it is always about a Lord who both knows and loves the world!