Where Is The Lord God Of Elijah?
Introduction
There are many things in this life that God has done that have absolutely amazed me. But there are 2 particular things that absolutely stun me as to what God has done in my life.
1) I Am Amazed That God Would CALL ME TO SALVATION!
Often times I wonder why the Lord ever extended His Grace and Mercy to my life. I don’t know of anything good that I did that would get His attention. I don’t know of anything that I did to deserve Salvation.
But I have learned down through the years that God doesn’t love us because we deserve it. God’s love is extended to everyone and can be experienced by anyone who will give their heart and life to Him.
Jesus gave us a wonderful verse to cherish: John 3:16“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son; that WHOSOEVER believeth in Me, should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
No one will ever be able to explain God’s Love; and no one will be able to understand why God extended His Grace to us. But I am glad that He did. You see, God gave us what we did not deserve that’s GRACE. God also withheld those things that we do deserve that’s MERCY. God’s Grace and Mercy cannot be explained; but they can be experienced.
I am not only amazed that God would call me to Salvation;
(2) I Am Amazed That God Would CHOOSE ME FOR HIS SERVICE!
It is one thing for God to save us, but it is an honor that He would want to use us in His Service.
God knew that there would be times when I would fail Him. God knew that there would be opportunities that I would not take. But He still chose to use me and He still wants to use me, and this amazes me.
Now, since God saved me and now wants to use me, I think that it is would be wise for me to do my very best for Him. I should TOTALLY COMMIT myself to God.
There is a SONG that goes something like this:
“I am firmly committed to the cause of Christ.
Determined to serve Him for the rest of my life.
Resolved to give all - no matter the price.
I am firmly committed to the cause of Christ."
Elisha was this type of person. He was “Firmly Committed” to His God. Elisha knew that Commitment was one of the most important keys to the fulfillment of a person’s calling. He also knew that NOTHING COMPENSATES FOR LACK OF COMMITMENT! Elisha’s commitment was a total commitment!
Years ago Stanley Collins gave an excellent illustration of when “commitment” actually occurs in the Lord’s service. He used the example of a “high diver”. Stanley Collins said:
“Such a man, who will dive from 100 or more feet does not commit himself to diving when he climbs up the ladder or when he walks out on the diving board. Commitment comes when he jumps because then there is no way he can retreat and return.”
“Many would like to define commitment as climbing up the ladder or as walking out on the diving board. They prefer that kind of commitment because then if things do not suit them they can turn back from their pursuit.
But the only commitment God accepts is TOTAL commitment.”
I believe that it was Lester Roloff that used to say: “I have gone too far by faith to turn back now.”
One of the first things Elisha asked for in the beginning stages of his ministry is what I am asking for in these last days before our Lord returns. He looked up into the heavens and asked “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?”
More than ever, I have a deep desire to see God move Supernaturally in these last days. My prayer is “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” My hope and desire is that God will reveal Himself and show Himself real one more time.
In order for Elisha to ask this from God, he had to set some things in order and take necessary steps in his life so he would be in the position to see God work. I want us to take a quick journey with Elisha and see what caused him to cry out “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?”
I. The Priority That Was Acknowledged By The Life Of Elisha
When we come to 2 Kings 2 we see Elisha is following another great man by the name of Elijah. Someone has estimated that 20 years had already past since Elisha was called to take the place of Elijah. But his Commitment was still strong.
Elisha was still faithfully pursuing his call that God had given him. It was priority to him. Following Elijah was not an easy road for Elisha, but it was a priority over everything else in his life.
A. There Were The Obstacles That He Faced
Elisha is an example of what we should do when we are committed to the Lord. He had common ordinary obstacles that every one of us will have to face if we serve God and commit to His Will.
(1) There was the Obstacle Of Distraction!
We find that Elisha had to put some things in proper order in his life so that he could be the “man of God” he was called to be.
Look back in 1 Kings 19:20,21“And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.”
Elisha’s priority was to follow Elijah and eventually take his place. 19:20 we see in the life of Elisha that Serving God took priority over (family). We are told that he went home and kissed his father and mother good-bye. The reason why he went back to see them was not to stall for time, but to bid them farewell. [He should be commended because of his consideration for others, especially his family.]
19:21 we see in the life of Elisha that Serving God took priority over (friends). He gave a feast for his friends to let them know about his calling he received from the Lord.
If you look carefully at 19:21 you will see that he showed his great commitment to God by slaying the oxen he was plowing with, cooking them with the wood from the plowing equipment, and then using the meat for a farewell feast.
Elisha was putting things in proper place in his life. How easy it would have been for Elisha to become distracted by these things.
May I say here that there is nothing wrong with having a family; having friends; and having fun while you are serving God. But I need to remind you that there should be priorities in your life. And our FIRST PRIORITY in our life ought to be the Lord Jesus Christ; being everything that He wants us to be.
I have noticed in my ministry that when God is first in my life; when I put things in proper order where they belong in my life - God gives me the time I need for my family, my friends, and having a time of rest and recreation. Serving God, loving God; putting God first, does not mean that we will never have time for anything else.
Elisha teaches us that pleasing God and doing what He has called us to do, ought to be a priority in our life - and we MUST NOT be distracted.
There was not only the obstacle of distraction,
(2) There was the Obstacle Of Discouragement!
Look with at 2 Kings 2:1-7“And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2And Elijah said unto Elisha, TARRY HERE, I PRAY THEE; FOR THE LORD HATH SENT ME TO BETH-EL. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el. 3And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head today? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 4And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, TARRY HERE, I PRAY THEE; FOR THE LORD HATH SENT ME TO JERICHO. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. 5And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take thy master from thy head today? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 6And Elijah said unto him, TARRY, I PRAY THEE, HERE; FOR THE LORD HATH SENT ME TO JORDAN. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. 7And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.”
Think about what we have just read. For several years now Elisha has been following Elijah; learning from him about the ministry, and longing to get from him the very thing that made his ministry different from everybody else’s.
You would think that Elijah would give Elisha some words of encouragement. But he doesn’t. In fact, Elijah gives him words of “discouragement”.
Look in 2:2“Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el.” 2:4“Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho.” 2:6“Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan.”
Now, don’t feel bad for Elisha about what he heard - and don’t think bad about Elijah for what he said. Elijah does this for a reason. I do not believe that Elijah was trying to discourage Elisha.
Let me give you an example. Do you remember back in Genesis 32 when Jacob was wrestling with an Angel? The Angel was really the pre-Incarnate Christ. As the Angel picked the fight with Jacob and saw that He wasn’t getting anywhere with him, we are told that the Angel “touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of his thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.”
Jacob then dragging himself around the room, wrapped his arms around the Angel. The Angel said; “Let me go, for the day breaketh.” Jacob told the Angel as he held on tight; “I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me.” The Angel could have overcome Jacob any time He wanted to. He could have gotten away from Jacob any time he pleased.
When the Angel said; “LET ME GO” I don’t believe that He really wanted Jacob to let go of Him. I truly believe that the Angel was hoping that Jacob wouldn’t let Him go. The Lord wanted to bless Jacob and change his life. So in order for Jacob to be blessed, he had to hold on just as tight as he could.
I believe that this same thing was true here between Elijah and Elisha. Elijah was telling Elisha; “Stay here; I’m going away and you won’t see me again. You don’t have to go any further with me.” I don’t believe that Elijah wanted Elisha to turn back. I do not believe that Elijah wanted Elisha to stop.
Elijah was not ordering Elisha to stay behind; that would mean that Elijah was encouraging Elisha to disobey God. All Elijah was doing was, not discouraging him, BUT TESTING HIM AND PROVING HIM!
Think about something. If Elijah could have talked Elisha into staying at Gilgal, Beth-el, or Jericho, then his commitment to follow him wasn’t really real, was it?
There was a young preacher who told his Pastor that he felt that God wanted him to preach. The Pastor told him that he shouldn’t preach. The Pastor told him every negative thing about the ministry. The Pastor told him that he would be a fool to get into the ministry. The young preacher stood up and said; “Pastor, I have respect for you and for your ministry. But you are dead wrong. What you have said about the ministry may be true, but I am not going to let you; I am not going to let anyone in this Church; and no one in my family is going to stop me from preaching.”
The Pastor smiled and said; “Young man; I wasn’t trying to stop you from preaching; I just wanted to see if you were serious about your ministry. You will make a great preacher some day.”
This is what Elijah was doing. Elijah was saying; “Elisha; Stay here; don’t go any further.” But Elisha said; “NOT ON YOUR LIFE. I AM GOING WHERE YOU GO! YOU ARE NOT LEAVING MY SIGHT. I HAVE COME THIS FAR FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS, AND I AM NOT ABOUT TO TURN BACK NOW.”
Elijah was testing Elisha to see if he was going to stay with his commitment or not. *But we also see that there were 50 sons of the prophets that were tempting Elisha to stop from following Elijah. *The sons of the prophets said; “Don’t you know that the Lord is going to take your master away? You don’t have to go any farther with him. Just stay here; you won’t miss anything.”
Elisha, being (tested) and now being (tempted) to stop following Elijah, said; “BOYS, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING; I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WANT. DON’T SAY ANOTHER WORD. YOU CAN TRY TO TEMPT ME TO STAY HERE IF YOU WANT. BUT I AM NOT STAYING! I AM GOING WITH ELIJAH.”
Elijah couldn’t get Elisha to stay behind even if he wanted to. The ‘sons of the prophets’ with all their negative persuasion couldn’t stop Elisha from going.
By the way, Elijah didn’t have to beg Elisha to go with him either. Elisha’s priority in life was to please the Lord. And he was going to follow Elijah no matter what the resistance was that came his way.
Someone said about following Christ: “You can have the mind of a Scholar; it is necessary to have the heart of a child; but you better have the hide of an rhinoceros.”
I promise you that you are going to face discouragement along the way in your work for the Lord. Someone may say something to you; someone may do something against you. All you have to do is face discouragement, but don’t stay discouraged. Keep on serving God.
(3) There was the Obstacle Of Difficulty!
You will notice that in 2:1,2,4 we are told that Elijah took Elisha on a trip to [Gilgal]; [Beth-el]; and [Jericho]. This trip that these men took was not made on a 4-lane highway in a nice air-conditioned automobile. They walked every where they went.
This journey took them up and down some pretty tough terrain. The trip of 30 to 35 miles included land that was as high as some 3,000 ft. above Sea Level, and as low as around 1,000 feet below Sea Level. You could say that it was a very laborious trip; but they made this trip in one day. approx. 18 hrs.
Someone has said: “Smooth sailing with the wind at your back does not indicate if you [are] or [are not] dedicated.”
Someone put it best when they said: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
Elisha had to face some very difficult places. Gilgal, Beth-el and Jericho were places that once God had blessed in a mighty way; but now they’ve turned to sinners of pagan influence and demonology and idolatry. Elijah led Elisha right into every one of these hotbeds of infidelity.
Then we are told that they came to a place called Jordan. 2:7“and they two stood by Jordan.” Jordan means “the river of death”. In the Bible typology and symbolism given, crossing Jordan does not symbolize going to Heaven. Crossing Jordan symbolized leaving the carnal life and the self life and entering into the fullness of God.
As you study about Jordan in the Scriptures, you will find that it symbolizes “taking death to yourself.” ILL> Jesus was baptized in Jordan and ‘baptism’ symbolizes burial and death. The River Jordan symbolizes taking death to our self and to our old way.
Let me give you something to think about. Now here in this story were 2 men, Elisha identifying with his master Elijah, both going down into the “river of death” on the one side and coming up on the other side to live the resurrection life.
God allowed Elijah to lead Elisha in this direction to show him that if his commitment was real - he could not allow difficulties to stop him.
I believe that every one of us needs to learn a lesson at this point of our study. *When you set out to Commit your life totally and fully to God, there are going to be many obstacles that you will have to face. *These are obstacles that you have to face and when you face them and overcome them, you may be left standing alone.
Someone said concerning Elisha: “If you do not have enough commitment to stand alone, if you do not have that spiritual independence that can continue on the right way even though it is only you and the Lord, you will never ‘know’ or ‘do’ much about your calling.”
Elisha had to face some very extreme obstacles in order to follow and obey what God had told him to do. In order for Elisha to take the place of Elijah, he had to overcome these obstacles - because the Commitment that he had made in his life was real and lasting.
A. The Obstacles that he faced!
B. There Was The Obedience That He Formed
Go back to 1 Kings 19:19b,20a“…and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he LEFT the oxen, and RAN after Elijah…I will follow thee.”
The promptness of Elisha’s response (he obeyed immediately) and the pace “ran” that he pursued Elijah showed his SPIRITUAL ZEAL he had for God. Elisha didn’t drag his feet. He was filled with enthusiasm; excitement, and earnestness.
Ecclesiastes 9:10“Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
The only way to “pursue” God’s Work and to “do” God’s Will is with all our might. There are so many obstacles that are going to be in front of us; therefore our best effort is required to succeed.
If we are going to see “The Lord God of Elijah” we must be committed to what God has for your life; and it must be treated as top priority. Elisha acknowledged this priority by facing his obstacles in the right manner and forming his obedience; pursuing his call with all his might.
I. The Priority That Was Acknowledged By the Life Of Elisha!
II. The Promise That Was Available To The Life Of Elisha
Up until this point, Elisha had showed his commitment by following Elijah for all these years. But now, Elijah knew that Elisha would need more than just physical strength to accomplish the work he was about to undertake.
A. What Was Requested
Look back in 2:9“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, ASK WHAT I SHALL DO FOR THEE, before I be taken away from thee.”
This promise that was going to be given was not to everyone. It was given to one particular person. This question was not asked to the ’50 sons of the prophets.’ There was only one that qualified to receive this promise.
Elisha had shown through his life and his loyalty to Elijah that he wanted something extraordinary in his life. Elisha said; “I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”
The request for a “double portion of thy spirit” was not a request of ‘pride’ to be twice a great as Elijah. This request spoke of an inheritance blessing. In Deut.21:17 we are told that this term “double portion” describes the portion that the first-born received from his father’s estate.. This term is associated with an inheritance. A “double portion” is associated with the inheritance of one who is taking over the leadership of the estate. When the father died, the first-born took over his father’s place.
Elisha was to inherit Elijah’s place when Elijah died. Elisha was asking that he might inherit the Spiritual Power of Elijah that was vital if he was going to fill that position.
Elisha wanted a “double portion” because he saw his need of this spiritual power to help him accomplish his calling!
I believe that there is a great need in our day and time for a Spiritual outpouring of God’s Power to be upon the Church and upon every Christian. God has called us to do a great work; God has given us a position and a place to serve and it cannot be done the way God wants it accomplished without Spiritual Power.
Look at what Elijah said: 2:10“Thou hast asked a hard thing.” Elijah was not telling Elisha that this was an impossible request; he was saying that this was a great request. Elisha had asked for something Great and Glorious from Elijah.
I thought about something. WHY SHOULD WE BE SATISFIED WITH A FEW DROPS OF SPIRITUAL BLESSING WHEN WE CAN HAVE A DOWNPOUR FROM HEAVEN? a)- What Was Requested!
B. What Was Required
Look at what Elijah required of Elisha. 2:10nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.”
If Elisha wanted a “double portion” to fall upon his life, he would have to continue to commit himself to staying with Elijah; all the way to his ascension.
Get this truth in your heart. Elisha’s power was related to the Ascension of his master.
Have you thought about the fact that our power is related to the Ascension of our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ?
Luke 24:49“And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
John 7:37-39“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”
Acts 2:32-34“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having RECEIVED of the Father THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST, he hath shed for this, which ye now see and hear.”
Do you understand that we have the Promise of Power because of our Resurrected and Ascended Lord? When Jesus left this earth, He gave a Promise that we as Christians would have the Holy Spirit of God living within us. We have the Presence of Jesus and the Power that got Jesus up out of the grave living in our hearts. It is the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit.
May I say to you that just as Elisha asked for the overflowing power that was upon Elijah’s life, so we need to ask for the Power of the Spirit of God to come down upon our lives.
The only way that we can be what God wants us to be and do what we have been called to do is to have the Power of God resting upon our lives. God has promised us Power for the impossible tasks that we face in this life.
I. The Priority That Was Acknowledged By The Life Of Elisha!
II. The Promise That Was Available To The Life Of Elisha!
III. The Power That Was Applied In The Life Of Elisha
It is one thing to have a Promise of the Power of God to come to our lives, it is another thing to take it and apply it to our lives. (Look at what Elisha did with what was promised to him and then given to him.)
A. There was the Demonstration Of The Power Of God
2:9b-14“…And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, IT SHALL BE SO UNTO THEE; but if not, it shall not be so. 11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12AND ELISHA SAW IT, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 13HE TOOK UP ALSO THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14AND HE TOOK THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, WHERE IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither, and Elisha went over.”
When Elijah was taken away by a chariot of fire into heaven, Elisha saw what was happening and saw the “mantle” of Elijah fall to the ground. Brokenhearted because of his leader being taken to heaven, Elisha goes over where the “mantle” fell and picks it up. Then he goes back to the Jordan River where he has to cross to begin his ministry; looks at his first obstacle after Elijah had been taken from him; he lifts up his voice and says; “WHERE IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH?”
It is amazing that God allowed Elisha to face a problem right after Elijah had been taken from him. You see, Elisha had depended upon Elijah, with the help of the Power of God, to deliver him and help him through all of his difficulties. Now Elijah is gone; BUT THE GOD OF ELIJAH IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL.
When Elisha smote the Jordan River with that mantle, he knew that the Power he needed didn’t rest in the mantle that had been given to him. Elisha knew that God gave the Power that was demonstrated by the dividing of the Jordan River.
Elijah was nothing without the Power of God. The “mantle” was nothing without the Power of God. Elisha would be nothing without the Power of God.
Elisha knew that the Jordan River would not divide unless the Power of God fell upon his life. ELISHA KNEW THAT WITHOUT GOD NO MIRACLE WOULD OCCUR.
May I remind you that if we do not have the Power of God working in our life, then our work will not be a genuine work of God (even if others praise you). We should never do anything for God unless we first have His Power working in our lives.
B. There Was The Declaration Of The Presence Of God
2:15“And when the sons of the prophet which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH DOTH REST UPON ELISHA.”
The “mantle” symbolized that the Power and Presence of God rested upon his life. The Power of God and the Presence of God that rested upon Elisha could not be hid.
By the way, when the “sons of the prophets” talked about Elisha, they talked more about Elisha’s God than they did Elisha. Elisha was “Firmly Committed” to what he wanted. He wanted a “double portion” of what Elijah had. He just wanted to be used by God the same way Elijah was used by God. And he knew that the only way to see something great happen, he needed “The God of Elijah” to come upon him.
There may be some one here that thinks that God cannot use them. You would love to have a Double Portion of God’s Power to come upon you. But you may be thinking; “Preacher; I am not Elisha; I’m not Elijah. I am not that caliber of a person. God can’t use me.”
Several years ago, a California aerospace company hired a motivational consultant to examine and stimulate its work force. The consultant interviewed one of the Senior Vice Presidents who told him about a particular section where production and performance were extremely high. Turnover and absenteeism in this department were the lowest in the company. Morale was very high.
What seemed to puzzle the executive was that the work done there was mechanical and repetitive. This group of employees maintained the pipes in the plant. Their job was checking temperatures and pressures. The delicacy of the equipment meant that the pipes had to work within strict tolerances or there would be expensive damage.
But why was morale so high? The consultant visited the department and the foreman took him on a tour. The consultant noticed that all the workers wore green surgical smocks. He asked the foreman about it. The foreman explained that he got them from his son, a cardiovascular surgeon. The consultant said, "Ah, so you wear them for comfort."
"No, no!" the foreman said, "It's because we are surgeons. Just like my son. He takes care of the pipes of the body. We take care of the pipes of the plant! The plant isn't going to have any breakdowns as long as we're working on its arteries. We take care of these pipes exactly the way a doctor takes care of your heart."
The consultant even noticed the stencils on their locker doors said, "Dr." and then the worker's name. What was happening here? The workers in that maintenance department believed their work was important - just like a doctor's work is important. They felt privileged doing what they were doing. They felt chosen.
It makes a difference in anybody's life if they feel chosen. We have been chosen by God to do an impossible work. But the people God chooses and the people God uses He empowers with His Power, the Holy Spirit.
The Great Thing about the Power of God is that is not limited in its measure. If you want to be used by God, just make yourself available to Him.
My prayer is that we will cry out one more time for God to show up and appear in a mighty and Holy way in our lives and in this Church.
Where Is The Lord God Of Elijah?