I was blessed by today’s Bible reading about Elijah and Elisha. It was time for Elijah to be taken up, and Elisha knew. So did the prophets who stood by the Jordan river.
Each time Elijah told Elisha, God is calling me to go here, and each time Elisha would not leave him. Each time the prophets told Elisha his master would be leaving him, and each time Elisha asked them not to be quiet about it.
I see the desperation in Elisha, who would not leave Elijah’s side, as he knows the time is drawing near for Elijah to leave.
Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to the Jordan River.” But again Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together. 2 Kings 2:6 NLT
I also see prophets, who also know God, but from a distance it seems. Not with that desperation or desire to have more of his spirit in their lives, like Elijah had.
Fifty men from the group of prophets also went and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stopped beside the Jordan River. 2 Kings 2:7 NLT
They didn’t have the longing Elisha had, to have a double portion of the spirit of God. It challenges me to see there are more than one type of believer today as well. Those who long to have Gods spirit within them, a double portion, to know God more deeply, as deeply as they possibly can, and those who are content to know God, and watch from a distance. Not knowing Him with nothing between their soul and the saviour, content to hear from God from time to time, to be used by God, but not having that inner deep connection.
May each of us strive, press on to know Him more! To have a double portion of His spirit within us, to have nothing between our soul and our Saviour! That nothing would hinder us from knowing Him more each day. That we would be close to Him here on earth, with such pure devotion, a reverent love, walking with Him and talking with Him, every moment of every day. That we would never, ever leave Him, but strive each day to be with Him. Amen.
