2 Kings 2:6-14 – Start The Day

“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. ⁷Fifty 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. ⁸Elijah 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. ⁹When 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.” ¹¹As 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. ¹²Elisha 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. ¹³Elisha 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

“Then Elijah said to him (Elisha), “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on. ⁷And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. ⁸Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. ⁹And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

¹⁰So he 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.” ¹¹Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. ¹²And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. ¹³He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. ¹⁴Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.” 2 Kings 2:6-14 NKJV

Father God,

There is so much in these events to take in and consider. Elisha used his cloak rather than a staff and parted the water. Elisha was hungry to serve You Lord and no doubt worried about following in Elijah’s footsteps. Elijah was fearless he had stood up to several murderous Kings and an evil Kings wife, troops of 100 soldiers, in fear of his life! Big shoes to follow.

In the New Testament a man called Simon wanted to buy the ability to lay on hands and give the Holy Spirit. His heart was thinking profit even if it was from doing good. Elisha asks because he wants to stay with Elijah and learn and be prepared for when the responsibility fell on him. To know You God were with him. He could not do anything without You.

It is a great privilege to be with someone in their last moments. I have never seen fiery chariots. I may never be able to part water. But I pray You will enable me to serve You with the living and the dying. Whether it be the end of this earthly life or with someone who does not have Your life in them yet. Keep my heart pure, zealous and dependent on You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 30th June 2025
For me today it had to be this old Salvation Army hymn, maybe the words are a bit Army bias but the meaning it glorious.