September 21 Empowered

September 21

Empowered

2 Kings 2:6-12 Then Elijah said to him, "Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

WE have seen Elijah's prophetic ministry through the framework of his faith journey. Elijah faithfully followed God into some impossible places. Doing so, he personally experienced God's life power for his life and the lives of those to whom he ministered.

           My purpose through Elijah's story has been say, "This is for you, too!" Be faithful to experience the "impossibles" God presents before you. Know how personally the Living God's power is for your life and those he places in your pathway each day.

           Other than Moses and the incarnate Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, and Elijah's successor Elisha, no one in history has been given such live power as Elijah.  But be assured we are no less than these men. Remember and consider, if the Holy Spirit has empowered you to confess Christ as your Lord, if you believe he has redeemed you from your sins, then you have experienced the greatest "impossible" of all! Saved in Jesus' atoning blood, you have the Spirit's power within you. In this living power, you can be confident God will lead you more and more into himself. Be willing to faithfully walk with him.

           Elijah's walk is done. Elisha's walk is beginning. Be sure to read 2 Kings 2:1-5 as well. See Elijah's humility as he desires to go alone to enter Heaven. See Elisha's love for his teacher to witness his beloved leave him, even though it breaks his heart. Hear the knowledge of Elijah's departure in the other prophets. God has made his purpose and his process known.

           The chariots of fire come. Elijah goes to Heaven. Elisha will begin his own faith journey that becomes a "double portion" of Elijah's walk with God.

           This same power of God has come to take you to Heaven through Jesus. Faithfully know you have been given the great portion of eternal life. Go faithfully into the "impossibles" God places before you.

Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, we thank you for the empowering miracle of salvation. In Jesus' name, amen.