August 29, 2022

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When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. (1 Kings 2:9-12) ESV.

Elisha received the mantle or the cloak symbolizing the anointing and the power of God from Elijah. Just before Elijah was taken up to Heaven, Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted. If you think about it, Elisha could have asked for anything. What he asks for, though, is a double anointing of Elijah’s Spirit; Elisha wanted twice as much power as Elijah had had. It was because he was faithful and persistent that God gave it to Elisha. Elijah responded to Elisha’s request: “You have asked a hard thing” (v. 10). 

In Second Kings, we read that God used Elisha to perform precisely double the number of miracles, signs, and wonders that Elijah did. Why? Simply because Elisha asked God in Faith. Have you asked God for anything recently? If you haven’t, maybe it is why you haven’t received anything. There is no quick fix with Christianity. It is a lifestyle, we don’t arrive, and we carry on growing from one degree to another. When God sees our hearts, He will trust us with precious things such as a mantle of God. God will use our compassion, love, and brokenness to part the Jordan Rivers in your lives. 

Friends, you might be asking, “Why does God use some people, and He doesn’t use others?” God used Elisha, but, He didn’t use the forty prophets; after all, they were all good men. Maybe the forty prophets weren’t prepared to follow hard after Elijah, come what may. If we want to experience God in a new and powerful way, we must steadfastly pursue God. Would you pray with me?

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to have the same Spirit that Elijah and Elisha had. Please help me to be prepared to walk the distance. Keep me faithful and true to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God Bless you, and may your day be Blessed, Friends <><

Encouraging Words from Rick Warren: People are always more encouraged when we share how God’s Grace helped us in weakness than when we brag about our strengths <><

Thoughts by Randall Stapleton is a Daily Devotion brought to you by The Bridge - Learn more at https://wearethebridge.org

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