The Levites remind me of the words, “It takes more grace than tongue can tell to play the second fiddle well.” In 1 Chronicles 22, David both paid the price for preparing the place and also prepared the person for his role with that place. This is a faint glimmer of Christ, who also is […]
Here is a 3-minute reminder that, as hopeless as things appear in this world, the King born in Bethlehem will one Day reign supreme. And His redeemed people shall reign with Him! (repost) […]
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 […]
Jesus used stories, current events, stimulating questions, and object lessons to drive home the gospel message. What do you use? Here’s a good example of being winsome so you can win some. […]
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
Evil is on the loose. Goliath-like, it stands across the valley and mocks our once-civilized society. Since we’ve rejected the Bible’s God for our own selfish ways, it laughs at our attempts to salvage the benefits of a Christian worldview while we’re unwilling to take seriously the Bible’s claims. That’s impossible. What to do? Many, […]
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 […]