"You, Lord, who know the hearts of all."

Acts 1:24-26, And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Only two out of the one hundred and twenty were put forward who were qualified as primary apostles, those who had been with Jesus from His baptism and resurrection. In their prayer, they look to the Lord Jesus for guidance as to who would be chosen. For we know that man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks upon the heart. And amazingly Jesus Himself would choose another to be His own choice, one who had not been with Him during any of these times, one who had violently opposed Him: Saul of Tarsus who became the Apostle Paul. He counted himself as “one untimely born,” the “least of the apostles.” And likewise Jesus calls each of us to be His witnesses for all He has done for us, to “make disciples of all nations.” Are we allowing Him to use us, are we asking for boldness and His power?

We need the power of Your Spirit; we need Your boldness that others may come to know You!

ESV Lectionary