Author Archives: cazehner

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About cazehner

I'm a woman who loves God's Word, the Bible. And I love sharing what it is God reveals to me through his Word. I pray that everything I write is consistent with Scripture, and that everyone who reads this blog will be drawn closer to the Savior. I am praying for you.

May 15

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I Chronicles 23:1-23, 6:16-30, 23:24-24:31

Once again we see how excited David is about the building of the temple. Like what we read yesterday, he is still making plans and assigning duties. But in today’s Scripture he goes one step further. He makes Solomon King of Israel.

That was unheard of. A king was a king until he died. Then and only then did the son take the throne.

But David knew the temple could not be built as long as he was king. And he was so anxious for God’s work to be done, nothing was more important. David was single-minded, totally focused on the building of the temple. Not even his own kingship was as important. He gave up the throne, he stepped aside so God’s work could be done.

God is asking me today what I am willing to give up in order for his work to be accomplished. Am I holding on to something or someone that is preventing me from being an effective witness? Am I as focused on God’s work as David was?

God would have me be an instrument through which he can draw unsaved people to himself. Do I really want to be that instrument? Is God asking me to submit a habit, a dream, an attitude so that his work can be accomplished through me? May he find me as faithful as David was and as eager to see God’s will be done.

May 14

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2 Samuel 20:1-26; I Chronicles 22:1-19, Psalms 140, 29, 30

It must have been hard for David to realize God meant what he said when he told David Solomon would be the one to build the temple. David accepted it. But he couldn’t just pretend it didn’t matter.

So King David, more than a little controlling I think, set out to get everything ready for Solomon. David collected the wood, the precious metals, he hired the artisans and the construction workers. He sat Solomon down and went over the plans. He even wrote the dedication ceremony, knowing he would be dead when Solomon was king and the temple built.

I doubt there was one detail overlooked by David. It was that important to him.

I think God would ask us today how important is it to us to prepare our children for what’s ahead. Are they learning from us to love God’s Word, to respect his temple, to attend to every detail in obedience? Do they see in us someone who loves God and honors him with our lives? 

Solomon saw in his dad a man who loved God and was excited about serving him. I pray our children see the same in us.

May 13

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2 Samuel 18:19-33; 19:1-43; Psalms 64, 70, 84, 141, 143

Why do some people have the tendency to want to be in the know? Is it that important to be the first with the news? Ahimaaz couldn’t wait to get to David to tell him about the battle that killed Absalom. After begging for permission to go he outran the messenger to get to David first in order to break the story. CNN has nothing on old Ahimaaz.

Finally David is back on the throne. The Jewish nation could be united at last. But did you read what was happening behind the scenes?

He’s my cousin. Oh yeah well my mom was in card club with his mom. Big deal. His sister dated a friend of my neighbor’s uncle. Yeah? I know for a fact he likes catsup on his fries.

STOP!

Do you realize the person who is most impressed with your knowledge is you? I think we need to be careful not to cross the thin line between genuine caring and gossip.

The men of Israel and Judah missed the point. It wasn’t about them. It was about David. It was about a reunited nation.

And what did Ahimaaz get for being the man with the news? Probably just sore feet.

May we get our priorities straight. If sharing what we know edifies, encourages, further’s God’s kingdom then may we tell it all. But if there is a hint of pride, or self-satisfaction may we button up!

Lord, may your children recognize gossip for what it is. May we take a good look at ourselves and check our motives when tempted to share what we think we know about someone else. And may all we do and say glorify you.

May 12

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Psalms 55, 58, 61, 62, 63; 2 Samuel 17:24-18:18; I Chronicles 2:17

I imagine most of us have felt what David felt when he wrote Psalm 55. His heart was in anguish. He was terrified and overwhelmed. And he said… Oh that I had the wings of a dove! I’d fly away and be at rest.

I don’t know about you, but there have been times in my life when a pair of wings would have come in handy. But I’ve discovered there are other methods of escape. I can lock myself away and turn off my phone. I can sit down and eat an entire box of Girl Scout cookies or Triscuits. Some people drink alcohol or do drugs to escape.

Here’s what David did. Verse 16 says… But I call to God and the Lord saves me. 

In the other psalms we read today David says things like “I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings”. “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him”. David calls God his rock, his fortress.

Then in Psalm 63 David expresses what I think God would have me hear today. David doesn’t plead with God to change the situation. He asks God for Himself. “My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you.” “On my bed I remember you.” “My soul clings to you”.

I am reminded that God wants to be all I need in every aspect of life. It’s easier to see him in the good things. But it’s even better to see him when I’m hurting. And you know what? He never fails.

Today is Mother’s Day and I will tell you it is not a happy day for me. I’ve never had the privilege of being a mom. My dear mother has been gone for 17 years. For reasons beyond my control I cannot have contact with my step-mother who was such a part of our lives for 12 years. And my sister is facing this day without her son. My heart is heavy and, to tell you the truth, I long for a pair of wings.

So I will run to my Rock and hide underneath his wings. I will cling to my Savior because he understands me. I will shed some tears because I am sad. But I will praise him because, even though I grieve the losses, I am blessed because of the very real privilege of having these dear ones in my life. 

God, hear my prayer today. Be my strength and my joy. Hold me while I grieve. May I allow you to be exactly what I need today. Thank you for wanting to.

May 11

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Psalms 28, 39, 41, 42, 43; 2 Samuel 16:16-17:23

We’ve all heard it said, “life is short”. But do we have a clue about the length of life on this earth compared to eternity? David said it’s like taking a breath. Ninety years on earth is like the time it takes to inhale. A second? A fraction of a second?

So, yes life is short. But what we do in this hiccup in eternity is so important. In fact, nothing is more important because the choice we make here will determine our eternity.

It’s not like we have to hurry and live a good life or get involved in a church or give more money to charity. Those things certainly effect the quality of life we enjoy while we’re here. But there is only one question God will ask of us when we see him face to face.

What did you do with my Son?

At that moment our good intentions, our good deeds, our position in society will be laid aside and all we’ll have is the answer to that question.

Is Jesus my Savior? Yes – or No.

May 10

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Psalms 37, 9, 10, 27; 2 Samuel 15:37, 16:15

What does it mean to ‘delight in the Lord’? David writes that those who do will receive the desires of their hearts. He goes on to say commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will do it.

This sounds like a recipe for getting my way. Like my nephew’s dog who rings the bell by the door when she wants to go out. Sure, she rings the bell when she needs to relieve herself in the  yard. But she also rings the bell if she sees a squirrel or hears the neighbors dog outside.

So is David saying if I love God enough, if I ring the love-bell just right I’ll get whatever I want? Is God that genie in the sky who grants wishes if we feel the right feelings or say the right words?

David’s psalm goes on to talk about the battle he has going on with his enemies. In fact, all the psalms we read today are about struggle and victory. They are about wickedness and righteousness. In other words, they are about victory over sin and our enemy, Satan.

If we take a few verses out of context because we like how they sound we don’t have an honest interpretation of Scripture. So what does it mean to delight in the Lord? Read on. Trust, commit yourself to God, do good, be still, turn from evil. The Bible says we are to love God with all our hearts, our minds, our souls.

It’s kind of funny. If we love God like the Bible tells us to, if we are committed to him, if our walk with him is grounded in Scripture, our desires come from him, too. It’s no longer what we want but what he wants for us. Then we will receive the desires of our hearts, his desires for us.

Father, thank you for always wanting what is best for us. Help us to stay so close to you that we will want what you want. Help us to lay aside our selfish ambitions and trust you with every detail of our lives. May we delight in you and praise you for all you do.

May 9

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Psalms 3, 4, 11, 23, 26, 12, 36; 2 Samuel 16:1-14

I’m sure when David wrote these psalms he couldn’t have imagined what life would be like in 2013. But God knew. And what he inspired David to write he knew would speak to hearts then and now.

“Help, Lord, for the godly are no more.” And that was written long before reality TV was the rage.

David wrote, “we own our lips… who is our master” before freedom of speech was an amendment to any constitution.

Psalm 36 talks about the wicked who don’t fear God and who think so highly of themselves they don’t recognize sin in their own lives. I’ve heard even some preachers who call themselves Christian say how important it is that we love ourselves, that we find strength within us, that we are worthy and capable. I’m not seeing that in Scripture.

I pray that God would continue to speak to us through his written word and that he would find his people pouring over the pages looking for direction, encouragement, correction and truth.

As we read each day I pray God will be able to teach us because we are willing to be taught. Then may we go about our day, set apart, and ready to use what we learn to lead someone to Christ.

God, I thank you for inspiring men like David to write down the words you would have us read in 2013. I thank you that it spoke to people in David’s day and that it still has power to change lives today. May it change mine.

May 8

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2 Samuel 24:1-25, 15:7-36; I Chronicles 21:1-30

Not sure why counting the troops was such a big deal. Maybe it wasn’t the census that was a sin, but doing it without going to God first was.

Once again I am reminded that if God isn’t in it, even the simplest, most innocent act can be sin. I wonder how many examples of this lesson are recorded in the Bible. Dozens, I expect. And always those who are obedient to God are blessed, those who go in on their own suffer consequences.

This year as I read God’s Word I am struck at the importance of this theme. Yes, God is loving and forgiving, gracious and kind. But he is none of that at the exclusion of his holiness and his demand to be obeyed.

If we worship a god of love, a tolerant god who accepts multiple avenues to him, we worship a worthless idol. That is not the God of the Bible, who is loving AND holy, who is forgiving AND a righteous judge, who cannot tolerate sin AND who gave his life so that we can stand before him faultless when we accept him as our Savior.

My prayer is that we will go to God on his terms, that we will obey him in every detail of life. And that we will share him with others, knowing there just is no other way.

May 7

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2 Samuel 5:13-16, 13:1-15:6; I Chronicles 14:3-7, 3:4-9

Did you ever want something so badly you couldn’t think of anything else? This thing, or this person would become your obsession. You’d think about what it would be like to have it, you’d dream about it, agonize over it. You get to the point where you believe you’d never be happy without it.

Maybe wanting this thing began to effect your day-to-day. You became moody or depressed or angry. You may have prayed God would give it to you, even if you knew it was a sin. You convince yourself you deserve it.

But does getting that thing ever bring the happiness you envisioned? Amnon took Tamar and once he had sex with her he hated her. His obsession ruined his life, Tamar’s life, and effected his  entire family.

Do you find yourself thinking… I’d be happy “if”? If I got married, if I had a different job, if I had a nicer house or drove a better car.

God is reminding me that if my focus is on anything or anyone other than him I am worshiping an idol. And he is very adamant about me not worshiping anyone or anything but him.

Amnon allowed himself to entertain sinful thoughts which became his focus. As he continued to feed his thoughts they grew until he was out of control. The result? Let’s just say it ended badly for all of them.

May the thoughts we think, the desires of our hearts be acceptable to God. And if we find our focus is on anything other than God, may we recognize it as sin and repent of it before we, too, are out of control. 

 

May 6

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Psalms 138, 139, 145, 8; 2 Samuel 21:1-14, 9:1-13

If you read nothing else today, I hope you will take a minute to read Psalm 139 and let God tell you how much you are loved. He will remind you that he has been with you since the moment you were conceived. In fact, he knew you thousands of years ago and saw you then as clearly as he sees you today. 

He wants you to know that he is always with you… even in the darkest of days.

And here is what touched me this morning. Verse 17 says – How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast the sum of them.

God is letting me know that there isn’t a moment when he isn’t thinking about me. There isn’t a second of the day when I don’t have 100% of his attention. I don’t have to whisper a formal prayer to get him to turn his eyes toward me. And he never puts me on hold while he talks to someone else.

His thoughts concerning me outnumber the grains of sand. “You hem me in, behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” I love this picture.

I don’t understand how this can be but I believe it with all my heart. You and I are loved by the God of creation. You and I are always on his mind and he is always present with us both. We are hemmed in individually, hugged tightly individually.

So I hope you read Psalm 139. Let the “I” written there come from your heart. Let God hug you today.