Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Kings 2 and Psalm 119: 161-176

Elijah was surely the prophet whom God used most powerfully in miraculous signs and wonders during the age of the Kings of Israel. Yet even his ministry had to come to an end some time. By this point he had started to disciple and mentor Elisha, and we soon discover that Elisha had a very zealous commitment to his teacher, his ministry and the LORD. Nothing could distract or dissuade Elisha from following Elijah. Knowing that he was about to depart, Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him before they parted ways. ‘Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,’ Elisha replied. Under the Law of Israel the firstborn son inherited a double portion (e.g. Deuteronomy 21:17). Elijah was asking to inherit Elijah’s ministry as his rightful spiritual heir.

Elisha would have known all about the cost of that ministry which had driven Elijah to despair on a number of occasions. Yet all that he wanted in this world was the anointing of God’s presence and power in greater measure …

Elijah, in turn, knew that this blessing was not within his authority to give, so he made it clear that this was Yahweh’s decision to make. But hallelujah! God saw the purity of Elisha’s passion, and He granted his heart’s desire. As Elijah was taken up into heaven, his cloak (a symbol of his authority and anointing) was left behind for Elisha. As soon as Elisha laid hold of the cloak and replaced his own cloak with it, miracles and signs started following Elisha wherever he went.

Our discipleship challenge for today is very clear: What is my heart’s deepest desire? If the Lord was to ask me today what He could do for me, would I answer as Elisha did? Or would I ask for something to meet my own needs or satisfy my own desires? You and I have Jesus’ promise that we will do even greater things than He did (John 14:12) – yet how much do I actually desire to take Him at His word and trust Him to use me miraculously?

Lord Jesus, forgive me for settling for so much less than the naturally supernatural life You have made possible for me! Kindle in me a fire of desire to see Your glory and to share in Your powerful ministry today. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.