To cast lots was equivalent to drawing straws. You are familiar with drawing straws aren’t you? Someone holds several straws that have been cut at various lengths in their hand. The tops of the straws are lined up evenly, so you cannot discern the short straws from the long ones. As people randomly choose a straw, the individual who just so happens to choose the longest straw wins. What Solomon is teaching us through this illustration, is that while the winner of drawing straws might seem completely random to those who are playing, it is God rather than random chance, who determines the outcome. At first glance it might sound silly to make a statement about God’s sovereignty in drawing straws. However, isn’t it a comfort to know that God is ruling, even in what we would call the insignificant areas of life? This truth allows us to place all of our trust in God. Nothing, not even the seemingly insignificant, occurs outside of His sovereign control. If we embrace this truth along with the truth that God is gracious and merciful toward His children, then we come to the same conclusion that David did in Psalm 23:6. Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life. We can only be sure of this statement, if the God in whom we are placing our hope, is ruling over the circumstances that cause us to cry out for help.