10. We need to pray for the success of our successors.
Many works that have begun in Spirit and in power have failed after the founder has died. Most of the time this happens because the founder has failed to mentor a successor or has failed to pray for his successor. Moses mentored Joshua, Paul mentored Timothy, Jesus mentored his disciples and Elijah mentored Elisha. When Elijah asked Elisha what was his desire Elisha asked for a double blessing of his spirit. When the Lord told Solomon to ask for anything he wanted he asked for wisdom to lead his people. Because his desire was not for wealth or prosperity the Lord gave him wealth and prosperity as well as wisdom. The Lord gave Elisha the blessing of Elijah and Elisha became the most influential prophet of his time. His ministry was longer than Elijah’s and also his sphere of influence was much broader.
Showing posts with label Elijah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elijah. Show all posts
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Days of Elijah Part 10
9. There will be times that others will not understand our prayers.
Often I have found that prayer meetings are a burden and I have asked myself why that is so. Prayer should be a time of great pleasure rather than a burden. What happens at so many prayer meetings is that we come with a list of requests and people expect that we will pray for those requests. How do you pray for someone who has cancer or someone who is going through a difficult time? If we pray as Paul did for the church at Ephesus we would spend little time in public praying for the physical needs and pray for their spiritual growth and their relationship with God. When an unbeliever asks for prayer and we pray for their relationship with God they cannot understand why we saw that their primary need was their salvation and not their physical need.
In Micah 6:8 the Lord tells us what is expected of us: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” If we are to act justly then we are to seek justice for all people, even those that we do not agree with. Some people will judge us that we are not seeking justice for certain groups of people but that should not be the case. If we seek justice for the unborn some will judge that we are not seeking justice for women. When we pray for the unborn some will judge that we are praying against rights for women. We can expect to be misunderstood in cases like this. We are to pray for mercy for ourselves and for others. How can we pray for mercy upon those who are enemies of the truth? There will be those both in the church and outside the church that will not understand our prayers.
When Elijah prayed for judgment there were those in his day, and there are today, who stand in judgment of Elijah. Elijah was concerned with the glory of God and not what others thought of him.
Often I have found that prayer meetings are a burden and I have asked myself why that is so. Prayer should be a time of great pleasure rather than a burden. What happens at so many prayer meetings is that we come with a list of requests and people expect that we will pray for those requests. How do you pray for someone who has cancer or someone who is going through a difficult time? If we pray as Paul did for the church at Ephesus we would spend little time in public praying for the physical needs and pray for their spiritual growth and their relationship with God. When an unbeliever asks for prayer and we pray for their relationship with God they cannot understand why we saw that their primary need was their salvation and not their physical need.
In Micah 6:8 the Lord tells us what is expected of us: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” If we are to act justly then we are to seek justice for all people, even those that we do not agree with. Some people will judge us that we are not seeking justice for certain groups of people but that should not be the case. If we seek justice for the unborn some will judge that we are not seeking justice for women. When we pray for the unborn some will judge that we are praying against rights for women. We can expect to be misunderstood in cases like this. We are to pray for mercy for ourselves and for others. How can we pray for mercy upon those who are enemies of the truth? There will be those both in the church and outside the church that will not understand our prayers.
When Elijah prayed for judgment there were those in his day, and there are today, who stand in judgment of Elijah. Elijah was concerned with the glory of God and not what others thought of him.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Days of Elijah Part 9
8. Our prayers may lead us to confront sin in the church and the world.
It is never easy to confront sin. However, the Christian is called to be a light set upon a candlestick. Light dispels darkness and reveals the dirt and decay around it. If a Christian is a light to the world then the dirt and decay will be revealed. We must remember thought that it is not enough just to reveal the sin but we must speak out against it. Sometimes it is easier to speak out against the injustices and the immorality of the world than it is to speak out against the sin in the church. Jesus spent more time condemning the Pharisees than any other group of people. The Pharisees were the religious leaders of their day but as Scripture tells us judgment must begin at the house of God. The sins in the church that need to be revealed are pride, disunity, bitterness, grumbling, complaining, unbelief and immorality. The sins in the world that we need to speak against are injustices and lack of compassion. We cannot expect the world to be like the church so it is important that the church be the church and show to the world what the kingdom of God really is.
It is never easy to confront sin. However, the Christian is called to be a light set upon a candlestick. Light dispels darkness and reveals the dirt and decay around it. If a Christian is a light to the world then the dirt and decay will be revealed. We must remember thought that it is not enough just to reveal the sin but we must speak out against it. Sometimes it is easier to speak out against the injustices and the immorality of the world than it is to speak out against the sin in the church. Jesus spent more time condemning the Pharisees than any other group of people. The Pharisees were the religious leaders of their day but as Scripture tells us judgment must begin at the house of God. The sins in the church that need to be revealed are pride, disunity, bitterness, grumbling, complaining, unbelief and immorality. The sins in the world that we need to speak against are injustices and lack of compassion. We cannot expect the world to be like the church so it is important that the church be the church and show to the world what the kingdom of God really is.
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Days of Elijah Part 8
7. Sometimes we miss God’s voice because we are looking for the wrong things.
After Elijah’s flight from Jezebel the Lord gently restored his spirit. Elijah had been busy for the Lord and it was food and rest that he needed. So often that is what we need to help us in our spiritual life. After that the Lord appeared to him and asked him what he was doing so far away from Jerusalem. Elijah complained to the Lord that he had been very zealous for the Lord and he was the only one left who truly trusted the Lord and now they were trying to kill him as well. Often we have felt the same. We have grown weary in our service for the Lord and it appears that we are the only one who is committed to Him and His work. The Lord knows that it is in times like this that we do not need more strength but we need a fresh glimpse of our God. Like Elijah we feel that God will come to us in signs and wonders but often He wants us to be still in His presence. If we expect that God comes in the same way every time we may miss Him when He doesn’t come in the same manner. We cannot put God in a box. If we only look for Him in signs and wonders we will miss Him when He comes in the still of the moment. If we want the fire of the Holy Spirit in our lives then we must be prepared that it will not necessarily be a controlled fire but rather a wild fire. The Holy Spirit is not a person who can be controlled but rather He wants to control us. Let us not miss Him because we have our own preconceived ideas of how He should act. He is God. Let us let Him be God.
After Elijah’s flight from Jezebel the Lord gently restored his spirit. Elijah had been busy for the Lord and it was food and rest that he needed. So often that is what we need to help us in our spiritual life. After that the Lord appeared to him and asked him what he was doing so far away from Jerusalem. Elijah complained to the Lord that he had been very zealous for the Lord and he was the only one left who truly trusted the Lord and now they were trying to kill him as well. Often we have felt the same. We have grown weary in our service for the Lord and it appears that we are the only one who is committed to Him and His work. The Lord knows that it is in times like this that we do not need more strength but we need a fresh glimpse of our God. Like Elijah we feel that God will come to us in signs and wonders but often He wants us to be still in His presence. If we expect that God comes in the same way every time we may miss Him when He doesn’t come in the same manner. We cannot put God in a box. If we only look for Him in signs and wonders we will miss Him when He comes in the still of the moment. If we want the fire of the Holy Spirit in our lives then we must be prepared that it will not necessarily be a controlled fire but rather a wild fire. The Holy Spirit is not a person who can be controlled but rather He wants to control us. Let us not miss Him because we have our own preconceived ideas of how He should act. He is God. Let us let Him be God.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Days of Elijah Part 7
6. Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayer for our own good.
It has been said that God always answers our prayers, sometimes He says “yes”, sometimes “wait” and other times “no”. I do not believe that it is always that simple. Isaiah tells us that “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1 – 2 (NIV). The Psalmist writes, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Psalm 66:18 (NIV). James tells us, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3 (NIV)
John Piper says that many of our prayers go unanswered because we forget that we are in a battle and prayer is like using a walkie talkie to get instructions from our Commander in Chief. Instead we look at prayer as an intercom where we are requesting things from the kitchen for our comfort in the den. James tells us that many of our prayers are ineffective because we ask with the wrong motives. If our prayers go unanswered we should not just say that the answer was “no” but rather we should examine ourselves. First, our prayers may have gone unanswered because of sin which we must deal with. Second, our prayers may have gone unanswered because they were not in the will of God. We need to spend time in the Word to know what God’s will is and then pray accordingly. Third, our prayers may have gone unanswered because we have asked with the wrong motives. This is similar to the second reason and it usually arises because we have focused on our own comforts instead of the glory of God. Finally I should add that sometimes our prayers appear to be unanswered but the answer has been delayed as in the case when Daniel prayed and Satan blocked his prayer. Elijah’s prayer to die was unanswered because he had taken his eyes off his God and saw only his circumstances. God was gentle with His servant and showed him that he would not die but that there were greater things in store for him.
It has been said that God always answers our prayers, sometimes He says “yes”, sometimes “wait” and other times “no”. I do not believe that it is always that simple. Isaiah tells us that “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1 – 2 (NIV). The Psalmist writes, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Psalm 66:18 (NIV). James tells us, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3 (NIV)
John Piper says that many of our prayers go unanswered because we forget that we are in a battle and prayer is like using a walkie talkie to get instructions from our Commander in Chief. Instead we look at prayer as an intercom where we are requesting things from the kitchen for our comfort in the den. James tells us that many of our prayers are ineffective because we ask with the wrong motives. If our prayers go unanswered we should not just say that the answer was “no” but rather we should examine ourselves. First, our prayers may have gone unanswered because of sin which we must deal with. Second, our prayers may have gone unanswered because they were not in the will of God. We need to spend time in the Word to know what God’s will is and then pray accordingly. Third, our prayers may have gone unanswered because we have asked with the wrong motives. This is similar to the second reason and it usually arises because we have focused on our own comforts instead of the glory of God. Finally I should add that sometimes our prayers appear to be unanswered but the answer has been delayed as in the case when Daniel prayed and Satan blocked his prayer. Elijah’s prayer to die was unanswered because he had taken his eyes off his God and saw only his circumstances. God was gentle with His servant and showed him that he would not die but that there were greater things in store for him.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Days of Elijah Part 6
5. Sometimes we need to wait upon our God.
When Elijah prayed in public his prayer was specific and concise. He could pray like this because he had spent time in prayer in private. However, when it came time to pray for rain his prayer was laboured and long. Even though he knew that God had promised rain and that he had told Ahab that the rains were coming he still went to the top of the mountain along and prayed for rain. He prayed seven times before he had evidence that God was about to answer his prayer. Many of us would have prayed once and then left it with God thinking that we had done our part. I wonder what would have happened if Elijah had quit before the seven time and why did the Lord wait until the seventh time before he gave Elijah any evidence that his prayer was about to be answered. In the Bible seven is the number of perfection and is often associated with God. Six is the number of man and if Elijah had received the answer after six times it is possible that he could have assumed that God answered his prayer because of who Elijah was or what he had done. God will not share His glory with anyone else and He wanted Elijah, Ahab and all of Israel to know that He was the one that had sent the rain.
How often we think that the answers to our prayers have come because of us. We have had great faith, were great prayer warriors or God has looked with favour upon us. I do not understand why God chooses to use our prayers to accomplish His purposes on earth but He does and it is our privilege to be able to share in His work on earth.
When Elijah prayed in public his prayer was specific and concise. He could pray like this because he had spent time in prayer in private. However, when it came time to pray for rain his prayer was laboured and long. Even though he knew that God had promised rain and that he had told Ahab that the rains were coming he still went to the top of the mountain along and prayed for rain. He prayed seven times before he had evidence that God was about to answer his prayer. Many of us would have prayed once and then left it with God thinking that we had done our part. I wonder what would have happened if Elijah had quit before the seven time and why did the Lord wait until the seventh time before he gave Elijah any evidence that his prayer was about to be answered. In the Bible seven is the number of perfection and is often associated with God. Six is the number of man and if Elijah had received the answer after six times it is possible that he could have assumed that God answered his prayer because of who Elijah was or what he had done. God will not share His glory with anyone else and He wanted Elijah, Ahab and all of Israel to know that He was the one that had sent the rain.
How often we think that the answers to our prayers have come because of us. We have had great faith, were great prayer warriors or God has looked with favour upon us. I do not understand why God chooses to use our prayers to accomplish His purposes on earth but He does and it is our privilege to be able to share in His work on earth.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Days of Elijah Part 5
4. Our public prayers can have power if we have a private prayer life.
In the show down on Mount Carmel the prophets of Baal prayed for hours for fire to consume their offering. However, when it came time for Elijah to present his offering to the Lord his prayer was short and powerful. Jesus condemned those who prayed long prayers for show. Elijah did not pray so that those around him could see that he was a man of God. He prayed to show that the Lord God was the God of Israel and the only true God. Public prayers are not a time to show off our spirituality, remember Jesus condemned the Pharisees for doing that, but it is a time to acknowledge that God is God and Lord of Heaven and earth. Even though Elijah’s public prayer was short before he prayed he took time to prepare. First he called the people to come near. The invitation from our Saviour is always to come near. If we draw near to Him He will draw near to us. Elijah then took time to repair the altar of the Lord. Again, even though his prayer was short he did not come casually into the Lord’s presence. Everything had to be in order. He took twelve stones reminding the people that God was not just the God of Elijah but the God of the whole nation, all twelve tribes. In doing this Elijah acknowledged the covenant relationship that God had made with Jacob. The altar that he made was made in the name of the Lord God of Israel, not in the name of Elijah. He knew that God should receive the honour and glory for what was about to happen. After Elijah had flooded the altar and the sacrifice with water he then prayed. In his prayer he addressed God as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. In doing this He acknowledged the covenant relationship that God had with His people. His prayer had two purposes. The first was to show to the nation of Israel that Yahweh was the only true God and second, to turn the hearts of the people back to Him.
In the show down on Mount Carmel the prophets of Baal prayed for hours for fire to consume their offering. However, when it came time for Elijah to present his offering to the Lord his prayer was short and powerful. Jesus condemned those who prayed long prayers for show. Elijah did not pray so that those around him could see that he was a man of God. He prayed to show that the Lord God was the God of Israel and the only true God. Public prayers are not a time to show off our spirituality, remember Jesus condemned the Pharisees for doing that, but it is a time to acknowledge that God is God and Lord of Heaven and earth. Even though Elijah’s public prayer was short before he prayed he took time to prepare. First he called the people to come near. The invitation from our Saviour is always to come near. If we draw near to Him He will draw near to us. Elijah then took time to repair the altar of the Lord. Again, even though his prayer was short he did not come casually into the Lord’s presence. Everything had to be in order. He took twelve stones reminding the people that God was not just the God of Elijah but the God of the whole nation, all twelve tribes. In doing this Elijah acknowledged the covenant relationship that God had made with Jacob. The altar that he made was made in the name of the Lord God of Israel, not in the name of Elijah. He knew that God should receive the honour and glory for what was about to happen. After Elijah had flooded the altar and the sacrifice with water he then prayed. In his prayer he addressed God as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. In doing this He acknowledged the covenant relationship that God had with His people. His prayer had two purposes. The first was to show to the nation of Israel that Yahweh was the only true God and second, to turn the hearts of the people back to Him.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Days of Elijah Part 4
3. The answer to our prayers may bring hardship upon others.
When someone asks us to pray for them they usually expect that the answer to the prayer will make a difficult situation better and in doing so relief their suffering. However, sometimes when we pray for others God has a different agenda than ours. He does not look only at the immediate situation but He sees the situation how it fits into His plan for our lives. Sometimes the person that we pray for has to go through the refining fire to purify them. When Elijah prayed for the widow of Zarephath with whom he was staying her life became more difficult. When her son died she immediately blamed Elijah and in doing so she also blamed his God. She had forgotten that if Elijah had not come to her home both her son and herself would have died. She had forgotten that her very life was the result of Elijah coming into her life. How often it is the same with us. We see the immediate hardship and forget the blessings that God bestowed upon us in the past. Our concern is for our immediate comfort while God’s concern is for a holy life. When the son was returned alive to his mother she knew that Elijah was truly a man of God and that he spoke the truth. She knew that there was no God but the God is Israel.
When someone asks us to pray for them they usually expect that the answer to the prayer will make a difficult situation better and in doing so relief their suffering. However, sometimes when we pray for others God has a different agenda than ours. He does not look only at the immediate situation but He sees the situation how it fits into His plan for our lives. Sometimes the person that we pray for has to go through the refining fire to purify them. When Elijah prayed for the widow of Zarephath with whom he was staying her life became more difficult. When her son died she immediately blamed Elijah and in doing so she also blamed his God. She had forgotten that if Elijah had not come to her home both her son and herself would have died. She had forgotten that her very life was the result of Elijah coming into her life. How often it is the same with us. We see the immediate hardship and forget the blessings that God bestowed upon us in the past. Our concern is for our immediate comfort while God’s concern is for a holy life. When the son was returned alive to his mother she knew that Elijah was truly a man of God and that he spoke the truth. She knew that there was no God but the God is Israel.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Days of Elijah Part 3
2. The answer to our prayers may bring hardship upon us.
When Elijah prayed that it would not rain for three and one half years the result of that prayer was drought and famine. That drought did not just affect the king and his court but it affected the whole region. Elijah was not immune to the drought. As he sat by the stream he saw the stream become smaller and smaller. As he watched the water dry up he knew that eventually he would lose his source of livelihood. Some people today think that when they pray that God will bring them comfort and ease. The comfort may come but it will not necessarily be through ease, it may be through hardship. We may pray for a closer walk with the Lord and find that we have cancer. Does that mean that God didn’t hear our prayer? God may use the cancer to show that we need to depend upon Him. Many people have testified that they thank God for the trials that He allowed to come into their lives. They would not pray for those trials but they knew that those trials are what brought them closer to their God.
When Elijah prayed that it would not rain for three and one half years the result of that prayer was drought and famine. That drought did not just affect the king and his court but it affected the whole region. Elijah was not immune to the drought. As he sat by the stream he saw the stream become smaller and smaller. As he watched the water dry up he knew that eventually he would lose his source of livelihood. Some people today think that when they pray that God will bring them comfort and ease. The comfort may come but it will not necessarily be through ease, it may be through hardship. We may pray for a closer walk with the Lord and find that we have cancer. Does that mean that God didn’t hear our prayer? God may use the cancer to show that we need to depend upon Him. Many people have testified that they thank God for the trials that He allowed to come into their lives. They would not pray for those trials but they knew that those trials are what brought them closer to their God.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
The Days of Elijah Part 2
1. Our prayers need to be based in Scripture.
Many people wonder if they are praying in the will of God. They read that Jesus told them to pray in His name (John 14:13; 14:14; 15:16; 16:23-24; 16:26) so they pray for whatever they desire and add the phrase “In Jesus name” to their prayer and feel that they have prayed in the will of God. When Jesus said that we are ask in His name He was telling us that we have to pray in union with Him. So the question is, “How do we know if our prayers are in union with Him?” The basis of knowing the will of God is to spend time in His word. He has revealed Himself in His word and His word can become the basis of our prayers. Elijah knew the word of the Lord so He could pray in confidence that it would not rain on the earth. Our prayers will lack power and content if we are not in the Word.
Many people wonder if they are praying in the will of God. They read that Jesus told them to pray in His name (John 14:13; 14:14; 15:16; 16:23-24; 16:26) so they pray for whatever they desire and add the phrase “In Jesus name” to their prayer and feel that they have prayed in the will of God. When Jesus said that we are ask in His name He was telling us that we have to pray in union with Him. So the question is, “How do we know if our prayers are in union with Him?” The basis of knowing the will of God is to spend time in His word. He has revealed Himself in His word and His word can become the basis of our prayers. Elijah knew the word of the Lord so He could pray in confidence that it would not rain on the earth. Our prayers will lack power and content if we are not in the Word.
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Days of Elijah Part 1
“Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” James 5:17-18 (NIV)
"Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" 2 Kings 2:14 (NIV)
We need to learn to pray like Elijah. James tells us that he was a man just like us and if that is true then we need to pray like him. What was it that made Elijah significant? First, he was award of the reality of God. Second, he was aware of God’s presence in his life. Third, he was not afraid to stand alone with God. Fourth, he was aware that God reveals Himself through Scripture. And finally, he was aware that God is a God of judgment against sin but He is a God of mercy and grace. As James wrote, “Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:13 (NIV)
What are the lessons that we can learn from the prayer life of Elijah?
"Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" 2 Kings 2:14 (NIV)
We need to learn to pray like Elijah. James tells us that he was a man just like us and if that is true then we need to pray like him. What was it that made Elijah significant? First, he was award of the reality of God. Second, he was aware of God’s presence in his life. Third, he was not afraid to stand alone with God. Fourth, he was aware that God reveals Himself through Scripture. And finally, he was aware that God is a God of judgment against sin but He is a God of mercy and grace. As James wrote, “Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:13 (NIV)
What are the lessons that we can learn from the prayer life of Elijah?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Double Blessing Conclusion
7. A time for action
After Elijah’s translation Elisha wasted no time wondering if the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. He took Elijah’s fallen mantle and walked to the Jordan River. He said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah’ and he struck the water with the mantle. Elisha’s first miracle was the same as Elijah’s final one. Elisha knew that not only had the physical mantle of Elijah been give to him but also the mantle of the prophet was upon him.
After Elijah’s translation Elisha wasted no time wondering if the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. He took Elijah’s fallen mantle and walked to the Jordan River. He said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah’ and he struck the water with the mantle. Elisha’s first miracle was the same as Elijah’s final one. Elisha knew that not only had the physical mantle of Elijah been give to him but also the mantle of the prophet was upon him.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Double Blessing Part 7
6. Preparing a successor
Can we pray that our successor will have a greater ministry than we had? Can we accept that when it happens? Sometimes it is hard to see our successor have a more successful ministry that we had. It was Joshua and not Moses that led the people into the Promised Land. Can we be like Samuel who said, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.” 1 Samuel 12:23 (NIV) As much as it hurt Samuel to see the people reject him and his family he knew it was God’s leading and he promised to pray for the people. We need to take our eyes off ourselves and see the picture as God paints it. If He chooses to use our successor in a greater ministry than we were used by Him then we should be thankful. Can we thank God when He uses our successors? Can we thank God when He uses our rivals? Elijah knew that Elisha’s ministry would be successful and yet he was not threatened. He knew it was not about him but it was about God. Where is the spirit of Elijah today?
Can we pray that our successor will have a greater ministry than we had? Can we accept that when it happens? Sometimes it is hard to see our successor have a more successful ministry that we had. It was Joshua and not Moses that led the people into the Promised Land. Can we be like Samuel who said, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.” 1 Samuel 12:23 (NIV) As much as it hurt Samuel to see the people reject him and his family he knew it was God’s leading and he promised to pray for the people. We need to take our eyes off ourselves and see the picture as God paints it. If He chooses to use our successor in a greater ministry than we were used by Him then we should be thankful. Can we thank God when He uses our successors? Can we thank God when He uses our rivals? Elijah knew that Elisha’s ministry would be successful and yet he was not threatened. He knew it was not about him but it was about God. Where is the spirit of Elijah today?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Double Blessing Part 6
5. A double blessing
Elijah had tested Elisha four times showing him that to continue in the role of a prophet would be a difficult task. Elisha knew it was more important to do the will of God than to be comfortable. When Elijah saw Elisha’s persistence he asked him what he desired. Elisha then asked for a double blessing. In asking for the double blessing he was asking to be the rightful heir to Elijah. The double blessing was always reserved for the first born son. Elisha wanted the prophetic office that had been Elijah’s.
I wonder what went through Elijah’s mind when Elisha asked for the double blessing. I am sure that he was thrilled that his disciple wanted to be a prophet but I also think that there were some concerns. Did Elisha have what it would take to be a prophet? Would he be able to stand before kings and false religious leaders? Elijah had one more test for his disciple. If he would be with him when God took him from this earth then he would received the blessing. Elisha could not go part way, he had to go all the way with Elijah.
It is recorded that Elisha’s ministry was twice as long as Elijah’s and that he did twice as many miracles. Some people have pointed out that this was the fulfillment of the double blessing in Elisha’s live. However, this misses the point of the double blessing. As we have already pointed out that the double blessing went to the heir and Elisha proved to be Elijah’s rightful heir and successor.
Elijah had tested Elisha four times showing him that to continue in the role of a prophet would be a difficult task. Elisha knew it was more important to do the will of God than to be comfortable. When Elijah saw Elisha’s persistence he asked him what he desired. Elisha then asked for a double blessing. In asking for the double blessing he was asking to be the rightful heir to Elijah. The double blessing was always reserved for the first born son. Elisha wanted the prophetic office that had been Elijah’s.
I wonder what went through Elijah’s mind when Elisha asked for the double blessing. I am sure that he was thrilled that his disciple wanted to be a prophet but I also think that there were some concerns. Did Elisha have what it would take to be a prophet? Would he be able to stand before kings and false religious leaders? Elijah had one more test for his disciple. If he would be with him when God took him from this earth then he would received the blessing. Elisha could not go part way, he had to go all the way with Elijah.
It is recorded that Elisha’s ministry was twice as long as Elijah’s and that he did twice as many miracles. Some people have pointed out that this was the fulfillment of the double blessing in Elisha’s live. However, this misses the point of the double blessing. As we have already pointed out that the double blessing went to the heir and Elisha proved to be Elijah’s rightful heir and successor.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Double Blessing Part 5
4. A place of division
Finally they came to the Jordan River. Once again Elijah asked Elisha to remain behind and once again Elisha refused. The Jordan was the great divide. It had originally separated the Israelites under Moses from the Promised Land. Now it was going to separate Elijah from the land. Elisha knew that God’s blessing was on Elijah and he did not want to be separated from that that blessing. As they came to the river Elijah took his mantel and struck the water. Just as in Joshua’s day the water was divided allowing the two men to cross over on dry ground. I wonder if they crossed where Joshua had crossed. I wonder if the pile of stones was still on the river bank. I wonder if there was a pile of stones in the river bed.
Finally they came to the Jordan River. Once again Elijah asked Elisha to remain behind and once again Elisha refused. The Jordan was the great divide. It had originally separated the Israelites under Moses from the Promised Land. Now it was going to separate Elijah from the land. Elisha knew that God’s blessing was on Elijah and he did not want to be separated from that that blessing. As they came to the river Elijah took his mantel and struck the water. Just as in Joshua’s day the water was divided allowing the two men to cross over on dry ground. I wonder if they crossed where Joshua had crossed. I wonder if the pile of stones was still on the river bank. I wonder if there was a pile of stones in the river bed.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Double Blessing Part 4
3. A time of victory
Jericho was the place of the Israelites first victory when they entered the land. When Elijah asked Elisha to stay there Elisha may have thought about remembering all of the victories that God had given them. It is a good thing to remember all that God has done for us but we cannot stay there. Past victories should just give us the motivation to move on to great victories. Elisha was not content to remember what God had done in the passed. He lived in anticipation of what God would do in the future. However, there are two dangers. Either we forget the past or else we live in the past. The first gives us fear to move forward, the second makes us complacent and we fail to move forward.
Jericho was the place of the Israelites first victory when they entered the land. When Elijah asked Elisha to stay there Elisha may have thought about remembering all of the victories that God had given them. It is a good thing to remember all that God has done for us but we cannot stay there. Past victories should just give us the motivation to move on to great victories. Elisha was not content to remember what God had done in the passed. He lived in anticipation of what God would do in the future. However, there are two dangers. Either we forget the past or else we live in the past. The first gives us fear to move forward, the second makes us complacent and we fail to move forward.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Double Blessing Part 3
2. The Word of God
Bethel was known as the House of God. It was there that Jacob had set up a monument as he was fleeing from his brother. It was at Bethel that the covenant to Abraham was reconfirmed to his grandson Jacob. As Elijah and Elisha passed through Bethel Elijah again asked his companion to remain behind. It was as if he was saying to him to remain and the house of God and remember all the good things that God had done form them. But once again Elisha was not content to just stay and remember what God had done. Elijah was continuing his ministry and Elisha wanted to be with him. How often we are distracted bow often we are distracted b the good things that God has done that we forget He has called us to continue until He calls us home.
Bethel was known as the House of God. It was there that Jacob had set up a monument as he was fleeing from his brother. It was at Bethel that the covenant to Abraham was reconfirmed to his grandson Jacob. As Elijah and Elisha passed through Bethel Elijah again asked his companion to remain behind. It was as if he was saying to him to remain and the house of God and remember all the good things that God had done form them. But once again Elisha was not content to just stay and remember what God had done. Elijah was continuing his ministry and Elisha wanted to be with him. How often we are distracted bow often we are distracted b the good things that God has done that we forget He has called us to continue until He calls us home.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Double Blessing Part 2
1. A place to remember
Gilgal was the place of remember. When Joshua led the people into the land they set up camp at Gilgal. During the time of conquest they kept returning to Gilgal to remind themselves of what God had done for them. There had been build a monument of stones. Elijah told Elisha to stay there and remember what God has done for His people. Maybe he was thinking about Azariah and how quickly the people had forgotten about the victory at Carmel. However, Elisha wasn’t satisfied just to remember but he wanted to experience God’s blessings and power. Sometimes when a revival happens in a church or a community the people will build a monument. Now the monument may be important but it is not just to look at and say, “Remember when God visited us.” Our monuments must look forward as well as backward. Samuel set up a rock as a monument and called it Ebenezer saying, “thus far has God helped us.” The implication was that God had helped them in the past and He will continue to help us in the future.
Gilgal was the place of remember. When Joshua led the people into the land they set up camp at Gilgal. During the time of conquest they kept returning to Gilgal to remind themselves of what God had done for them. There had been build a monument of stones. Elijah told Elisha to stay there and remember what God has done for His people. Maybe he was thinking about Azariah and how quickly the people had forgotten about the victory at Carmel. However, Elisha wasn’t satisfied just to remember but he wanted to experience God’s blessings and power. Sometimes when a revival happens in a church or a community the people will build a monument. Now the monument may be important but it is not just to look at and say, “Remember when God visited us.” Our monuments must look forward as well as backward. Samuel set up a rock as a monument and called it Ebenezer saying, “thus far has God helped us.” The implication was that God had helped them in the past and He will continue to help us in the future.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Double Blessing Part 1
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not." 2 Kings 2:9 – 10
The final stage of Elijah’s life can be divided into two parts. First there is the remarkable translation that he had and second, the double portion of God’s blessing upon Elisha.
As Elijah was walking along the road with his companion Elisha the Lord sent His chariot to gather up Elijah and to take him home. It will be the same for the believers when the Lord calls His church home. We will be going about our daily work and suddenly the trumpet of the Lord will signal the coming home of His people. Some people have felt that they need to prepare themselves for the Lord’s coming by withdrawing from the world. That was not the picture with Elijah. They were continuing to do the ordinary things of life. A preacher one time preached a powerful sermon on the second coming of Christ so that the hearers in his congregation believed it would happen that very night. The next morning the pastor planted an apple tree that would take years to mature. Did he not believe his own message? He did but also knew the command of the King of kings who said, “Occupy until I come.”
As they walked along together Elijah tested the loyalty of his companion. This was done four times; first at Gilgal, then at Bethel, Jericho and finally the Jordan River.
The final stage of Elijah’s life can be divided into two parts. First there is the remarkable translation that he had and second, the double portion of God’s blessing upon Elisha.
As Elijah was walking along the road with his companion Elisha the Lord sent His chariot to gather up Elijah and to take him home. It will be the same for the believers when the Lord calls His church home. We will be going about our daily work and suddenly the trumpet of the Lord will signal the coming home of His people. Some people have felt that they need to prepare themselves for the Lord’s coming by withdrawing from the world. That was not the picture with Elijah. They were continuing to do the ordinary things of life. A preacher one time preached a powerful sermon on the second coming of Christ so that the hearers in his congregation believed it would happen that very night. The next morning the pastor planted an apple tree that would take years to mature. Did he not believe his own message? He did but also knew the command of the King of kings who said, “Occupy until I come.”
As they walked along together Elijah tested the loyalty of his companion. This was done four times; first at Gilgal, then at Bethel, Jericho and finally the Jordan River.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Come Down Conclusion
3. What about us today?
What is the application to prayer for us today? Some people think that prayer is only positive thinking. I have a friend who is an agnostic and when I was facing surgery he told me that he would pray for me. I couldn’t help but wonder who he was praying to since he questioned the existence of God. Sometimes when we pray we are concerned with our own comfort or the comfort of those that we are praying for at the time. Elijah’s concern was different. He was more concerned with the glory of God. John tells us in his gospel that prayer is to bring honour and glory to God. When we come to God in prayer, either for our own needs or for the needs of others, we need to remember that our first and primary concern is that God receives the glory. He will not share His glory with others.
What is the application to prayer for us today? Some people think that prayer is only positive thinking. I have a friend who is an agnostic and when I was facing surgery he told me that he would pray for me. I couldn’t help but wonder who he was praying to since he questioned the existence of God. Sometimes when we pray we are concerned with our own comfort or the comfort of those that we are praying for at the time. Elijah’s concern was different. He was more concerned with the glory of God. John tells us in his gospel that prayer is to bring honour and glory to God. When we come to God in prayer, either for our own needs or for the needs of others, we need to remember that our first and primary concern is that God receives the glory. He will not share His glory with others.
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