Where
now is the God of Elijah? 2 Kings 2:14
In our chapter from 2 Kings, we see in Elisha someone who is
determined to go after God, to receive from Him everything that he could be
given, and to be as effective for Him as he possibly could. He is aware that his mentor Elijah, is about
to be taken from him, but he is utterly resolved to follow in his footsteps, to
receive the same power and anointing which have enabled Elijah to speak God’s
word – accurately, powerfully and courageously, and to perform miraculous acts
in His name. In fact, he wants a
double-portion v9. In anyone less focused on God, this would seem ambitious and
arrogant in the extreme, but Elisha is simply going after God – for the glory
of God – ‘to make Him famous’. Despite
being given three opportunities to opt out, v2,4,6, Elisha will not be
deflected. When the two prophets finally
cross the Jordan, and Elijah asks him what he wants – Elisha does not mince his
words v9,10.
I am really disturbed at how mealy-mouthed my prayers and
requests to God often are. He invites
specific prayers, especially if they are to His glory. Matt 7:7-11. Nothing is too hard for him. Gen
18:14 He wants to equip us and He wants
us to be able to live and serve him in ways which will cause others to see His
Spirit ‘resting on us’ v15 – at work through us. Actually, 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that ‘His
divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.’ Have we actually begun to unpack, access and
plug into what we have in Christ?
We will have to practise, and use this power – be confident
in God’s equipping, even if we don’t get it quite right the first time. Richard Nelson, in his commentary, points
out that the original Hebrew implies that Elisha needed two attempts to part
the Jordan
‘Where now is the God of Elijah?’ In us and with us, if we are going after him
in the way Elisha did! Let’s pray for
more of God’s power – and for godly discernment as we use it to serve Him and
bring Him glory.
(member of women’s ministry)