Elisha knew that he could have the garment and goods of Elijah but if he did not have his spirit, the Spirit of God, then what good would that be in life? What would we ask for from a man like Elijah? May I have a double portion of your spirit?
Elisha puts on the mantle of his mentor, strikes the sea and it separates. Where is Elijah's God? "Etiam ille adhuc superest" --- "he is in being still, and nigh at hand. We have lost Elijah, but we have not lost Elijah's God. He has not forsaken the earth; it is even he that is still with me." Matthew Henry.
Every day, we are to deal with the God of our fathers. The father of Elijah. Inquire after Him. May we never be like King Ahaziah who refused to inquire of the God of his fathers, the God of Israel. King Ahaziah's life is juxtaposed against Elijah---one man inquired not and the other lived to inquire. And the God on High was Nigh. It is even He that is still here with you and me. He is nigh to all those who call.
PRAYER FROM PSALMS
O God,
You were there that day when You separated the seas.
You are near this day to all Who call on You. Ps 145:18
My LORD is nigh to those Who are of a broken heart. Ps 34:18
Nigh to all that call on You in Truth, in sincerity.
But as for me, it is good to be near God
May that be our supreme good.
- OVERVIEW: II Kings 1-3
- Image: Library of Congress, Washington DC. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsc.06197
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