The Double Portion!

We read about Elisha following Elijah from place to place in 2 Kings Chapter 2. Every time they arrived at a location, Elijah told Elisha to stay back, but Elisha would not be left behind! Finally, when they had crossed over river Jordan, Elijah asked Elisha what he was expecting from him. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit upon himself (v9). Elijah said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."(2 Kings 2:10). We all know how the story ended. Elisha saw Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind, in a chariot of fire with horses of fire and was blessed just as he wanted!

When I heard a message on Elisha, what caught my attention was the phrase, "if you see me when I am taken from you…" The Bible does not tell us how Elisha handled this or how long he had to wait. Did he even go to sleep, I wondered. If someone tells us that they will give a substantially big gift if we watch him do something, we will not even want to go to sleep lest we lose the gift! The Lord has promised great things for the one who meditates on the Law of the Lord day and night. Psalm 1:3 says, "He shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." If only we can take a minute and analyze our thoughts, it will shock us! Our minds are filled with worries and anxieties; hurts and unforgiveness; anger and hatred!

Paul's epistle to the Philippians gives us a clue! Paul tells us that the key to have joy in our heart is to have the right thoughts in our minds! Philippians 4:8 tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." This list is the gang of eight we have to be associated with so that our hearts will be filled with the joy of the Lord!

My friend, this new year, let us not focus on unimportant things and lose the blessings God has in store for us!

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 14th January 2020 Share: newsletterDisplay date: 15th January 2020

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