Aim High
I am sure the Lord had a huge smile on His face when He heard Elisha's request from Elijah. (II Kings 2:9) They both knew that Elijah was about to be taken away by the fiery chariot, so Elijah asked him what he could do for him before he was taken away. Elisha asked for a "double portion" of the spirit of Elijah. That request tells us a lot about Elijah's associate. Let's see what we can learn for ourselves.
Elijah was one of the most influential prophets of all times. He announced the beginning and the end of a 3 year drought with no rain or dew. He defeated 400 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel by calling down fire from heaven. He parted the Jordan river with his mantle. Those are just a few of the miracles of God in which he had a part. However, Elisha was not overawed by these things. He wanted to be used by God to do even more things. He aspired to spiritual greatness without being proud; he just wanted to be a great servant of God. His aim in life was high. He was not shooting for average. That is how we all should be when it comes to spiritual things. God is pleased when we want to accomplish much for His kingdom.
Also, Elisha wasn't afraid to ask God for great things. He knew God might not grant his request. Elijah reminded him of that fact. However, if we don't ask, we won't receive. God loves for us to have such a trust in Him that we can know we can ask for miracles. We do it in humility and submission to His will, but we do it, so the world around us can see His greatness.
That is why I admonish each of us to aim high spiritually. If Christ would die for us to provide salvation, why would He not also give us everything we need in our spiritual life.(Romans 8:32) We will miss much of what He wants for us if we aim low. Let's put a smile on the face of God like Elisha did.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Kings 6-9
Elijah was one of the most influential prophets of all times. He announced the beginning and the end of a 3 year drought with no rain or dew. He defeated 400 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel by calling down fire from heaven. He parted the Jordan river with his mantle. Those are just a few of the miracles of God in which he had a part. However, Elisha was not overawed by these things. He wanted to be used by God to do even more things. He aspired to spiritual greatness without being proud; he just wanted to be a great servant of God. His aim in life was high. He was not shooting for average. That is how we all should be when it comes to spiritual things. God is pleased when we want to accomplish much for His kingdom.
Also, Elisha wasn't afraid to ask God for great things. He knew God might not grant his request. Elijah reminded him of that fact. However, if we don't ask, we won't receive. God loves for us to have such a trust in Him that we can know we can ask for miracles. We do it in humility and submission to His will, but we do it, so the world around us can see His greatness.
That is why I admonish each of us to aim high spiritually. If Christ would die for us to provide salvation, why would He not also give us everything we need in our spiritual life.(Romans 8:32) We will miss much of what He wants for us if we aim low. Let's put a smile on the face of God like Elisha did.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Kings 6-9