“Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan. ”And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on. 7 Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” 11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. 13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.” 2 Kings 2:6-14 NIV
Father in heaven and on earth,
On going through the Bible I could not miss this passage. Elisha like Solomon gets to ask for what he would most like right there and then. He also does not ask for wealth or an easy life or anything personal. He asks sincerely for the one thing that will enable him to be a prophet for You. To be able to be like Elijah and serve God effectively.
Prophets were acknowledged by how well they could see what You were doing and speak it forth. Warning of wars, danger and when You Lord were telling them to move or stay still. They also did miracles. But always to serve others not for personal benefit.
Elisha had a focused unselfish heart and was granted his prayer. The disciples saw Jesu ascend to heaven (Luke 24:50-53) but he needed no chariots of fire! They wavered and went fishing but there hearts were focused once they understood what had happened and received the fire of the Holy Spirit.
We too can serve You. We need to encourage our hearts and keep our commitment burning in the days when we see no miracles. Its good to check up on our commitment and attitude! We do not always see everything You are doing. And then sometimes we do . . . and can only praise You. The God of Elijah, Elisha and me.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 1st July 2025
A beautiful rendition of a traditional hymn. Could have been written today so timeless is the prayer.
I am resolved
No longer to linger
Torn by the world’s delight
Things that are higher
Things that are nobler
These have allured my side
I will hasten to him
Hasten so glad and free
Jesus, greatest highest
I will come to thee
I am resolved
To go to the savior
Leaving my sin and strive
He is the true one
He is the just one
He hast the words of life
Chorus
I am resolved
To follow my savior
Faithful and true each day
Hold to His Word
And seek out his will
He is the living way
Chorus three times . . .
Lyrics: Palmer Hartsough