Picking Up the Mantle
The downward spiral begun in 1Kgs
accelerates as one bad king after
another accedes to the throne.
Standing in the path of this down-
trend are prophets who speak
for God. Elisha takes up the mantle
and ministry of his master Elijah.
Calling upon the God of Elijah,
Elisha watches as God sends
waterlogged valleys as a sign to
Jehoram and blood-red water
signalling defeat for Moab.
Lord, the departure of a well known
leader like Elijah can bring insecurity.
And we learn from Elisha his sense
of unworthiness and his conviction
that God had important work for him.
Help us to Pick Up the Mantle.
Help us to Follow After You.
Help us Seek Your Empowerment.
Help us Draw Near to You. Amen.
Lord, we will Follow After You:
When the Lord was about to take
Elijah up to heaven… Elijah & Elisha
were on their way from Gilgal.
Elijah said to Elisha: Stay here;
the Lord has sent me to Bethel.
But Elisha said: I will not leave you.
So they went down to Bethel…
Then Elijah said to him: Stay here
Elisha; the Lord has sent me to
Jericho. And he replied: I will not
leave you. So they went to Jericho…
Then Elijah said to him: Stay here;
the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.
And he replied: I will not leave you.
So the two walked on (2Kgs 2:1-6).
Lord, we note Elisha was determined
to be all that God wanted him to be
for he remained faithful to God’s call.
He was focussed on getting the
resources he could to complete
the work God had given him to do.
Lord, help me be like Elisha, not
to allow anything to divert me from
following Your path for me. Amen.
Lord, we Seek Your Empowerment:
Elijah took his mantle… and struck
the water; and it was divided this
way and that, so that the two of
them crossed over on dry ground.
And 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 (2 Kings 2:8-9).
Lord, thank You for the ministry
that You have given to each of us.
We realise it is a costly thing to
follow You, especially to follow You
fully. But I want Your presence and
the power that goes along with it.
Please give me more of You. Amen.
Lord, we will Draw Near to You:
So the king of Israel went with the
king of Judah and the king of Edom
and they marched… seven days;
& there was no water for the army…
And the king of Israel said: the Lord
has called these 3 kings together
to But Jehoshaphat said: Is there no
prophet of the Lord here that we
may inquire of the Lord by him?
So one of the servants of the king
of Israel answered: Elisha is here…
Now bring me a musician. Then
it happened, when the musician
played, that the hand of the Lord
came upon him (2 Kings 3:9-15).
Lord, We realise that You speak
to our intuitive side more often
than to our logical, skeptical side.
So sensitize me to Your presence
and awaken my heart to know when
You are speaking creatively to me.
And even as we approach You,
we trust Your Spirit will reveal
Your words for us in season. Amen