PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Kings 1-2
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“‘Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,’ Elisha replied.” (2 Kings 2:9)
Elijah and Elisha were some of Israel’s greatest prophets, backed by God’s power.
The miracles they performed confirm that they have God’s Spirit and speak for God.
If God supports his old covenant messengers, how much more will he support us.
Jesus calls his followers greater than the greatest OT prophet (Matthew 11:11).
We have received the fullness of the Spirit of Jesus, anointing us as his prophets.
The Spirit of Jesus will work through our weak efforts, to give them impact.
Elijah, Elisha, John, and us, we’re all ordinary servants of God.
But when we speak and act in Jesus’ Name, amazing things happen.
As a Jesus follower, are you feeling confident to speak and act for God?
We should not look to these prophets for examples of being God’s prophets.
Jesus has shown us what a God-pleasing ‘servant of God’ looks like.
Not being pushy or arrogant, but humbly, boldly showing and sharing his love!
We have more than a double portion of Elisha’s Spirit, ready to work through us.
Are we as eager as Elisha to be filled with the Spirit of Jesus in our lives?
PRAYER
Lord, you have given us the Spirit of boldness and love, may we not let the spirit of doubt silence or stop us from being channels of your grace!
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. It really boggles my mind to think of inheriting someone else’s spirit. Trying to think what is meant here. When ‘legion’ had his many evil sprits cast out – he had many. Or I think of Saul appealing to the widow at Endor to call on Samuel’s spirit – so it was not unusual to think of the ‘spirit’ world. Also, a body without a spirit is dead, but I wonder what really it is that Elisha is asking for – I’m thinking it is more of the Spirit that God had put in Elijah – not Elijah’s but God’s that Elisha is asking for. Elijah’s spirit or soul is taken up – but the Spirit of God that was with Elijah has now transferred to Elisha. Elisha in requesting this is saying to me – I can’t do this work, Elijah unless the spirit of God is with me – and I really need it even more. In my faith walk I’m with Elisha – I need the gift of the HS to serve – otherwise my life would be even more selfish! Dwell in Me Holy Spirit!
The Spirit of the Lord directed Elijah and Elisha what to say and do. His Spirit also needs to direct my words and deeds. When we live for Jesus that Spirit directs our lives but we need listening ears to hear the pirit speaking to us. As Elihsa requested a double portion, so I too need to ask that the Spirit dwell within me.
1 Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart,
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are,
and make me love you as I ought to love.
2 I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
no sudden rending of the veil of clay,
no angel visitant, no opening skies;
but take the dimness of my soul away.
3 Did you not bid us love you, God and King,
love you with all our heart and strength and mind?
I see the cross— there teach my heart to cling.
O let me seek you and O let me find!
4 Teach me to feel that you are always nigh;
teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
teach me the patience of unceasing prayer.
5 Teach me to love you as your angels love,
one holy passion filling all my frame:
the fullness of the heaven-descended Dove;
my heart an altar, and your love the flame.