KNOWEST THE HEARTS OF ALL MEN - Acts 1:24
Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Jesus has ascended to heaven and the disciples have returned to Jerusalem to wait for the filling of the Holy Spirit as Jesus had promised them. While the disciples were waiting, they “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14). It was during this time that Peter spoke up and suggested that they replace Judas. The disciples appointed two men, Barsabas Justus and Matthias.
At this time, there were more than just 11 disciples that have been following Jesus. There were 120 men and women who were waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit so that they might obey the commands of Christ and go out and preach the gospel. However, even with 120 individuals, they still sought the Lord as to who was the one whom God desired to replace Judas.
The disciples understood that God had a perfect plan and that HE would reveal it to them if they would but seek HIM. The disciples understood that God saw the hearts of men and that if it were left just to them, they could make a mistake because they could not see the heart. A hasty decision on their part could do great damage to the kingdom of heaven and that is why they turned to the One who could direct their paths.
The disciples could see the man, and they could see the fruit, but what they could not see was what mattered the most, the heart and thoughts of the man. The disciples lacked the knowledge necessary to select the replacement for Judas and thus they sought God and allowed HIM to direct their paths. The lot was then cast and Matthias was chosen by God to be numbered with the other eleven apostles.
The disciples understood that they did not have the wisdom necessary to make the proper decision. How often do you fail to follow the example of the disciples? When you are faced with a difficult decision, do you turn to God and allow the All-knowing God to direct your paths? Too often, we turn to God for the big decisions but we rely upon our own strength for the small decisions.
God is willing to direct our path and sometimes the smallest decisions can lead to a major change. Naaman chose to dip himself in the Jordan River and he was healed of his leprosy. Rebekah agreed to give water to Abraham’s servant and to his camels and she ended up being married to Isaac. Andrew heard John the Baptist speak about Jesus and decided that he wanted to see where Jesus lived. That small decision ended up in both him and his brother Simon Peter becoming disciples of Jesus.
You do not know it all. You cannot read the minds of men let alone the mind of God. You need knowledge that only God can give if you desire to do the perfect will of God. The closer your relationship with God becomes, the more you should understand the more you need God in every aspect of your life. Satan is going to try to tempt you to do it your own way; to rely upon your own strength. However, if you will only trust God and to seek HIM to help you in doing that which is right in HIS eyes, you will find a new joy as HE directs your path. If you seek HIS knowledge about what HE desires you to do, HE is faithful and just to answer your prayers and to show you the way you are to go.