Author: Bill Nicholson

Faithful hearts seek wise investments in time that will only come to full fruition in eternity.  Shortly after Abram entered Canaan, we read, “he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east” (Gen 12:8). Bethel means “the house of God.” Ai means “a heap of rubble.” It’s a hard fact that every penny, every moment, every […]

Read More… from September 23, 2024 — David’s Investments

Moriah combines râ’â + yâh, meaning “seen, approved, considered, or enjoyed by Jehovah.” In 1 Chronicles 21, we read, “David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces” (v 16) and pled for God’s mercy, a mercy already provided. But there is no such thing as bloodless mercy with the Lord. “Therefore, the angel of the Lord commanded Gad […]

Read More… from September 20, 2024 — Falling Down & Going Up

God in Christ has devised a way by which justice can be satisfied and yet mercy can triumph. For our story today, it helps to have a brief overview both of the geography and history of Jerusalem. Coming west from the Jordan Valley through the Judean Wilderness, we meet a long north-south ridge looming over […]

Read More… from September 19, 2024 — “Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment”

In this math, it’s the answer that makes the problem: 1,570,000 – 70,000 = so much heartache! Numbering Israel’s warriors without collecting the ransom silver was a serious matter—as if these men belonged to the king and not to God. The penalty? “Then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord, when you […]

Read More… from September 18, 2024 — Three Choices

Why do you need to count the soldiers when our Commander can win with many or with few? Here we have a story that provides an important clarification. The first rendition reads, “The anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, ‘Go, number Israel and Judah’” (2 Sam […]

Read More… from September 17, 2024 — When Counting Doesn’t Add Up