September 22 Power Transfer

2 Kings 2:13-14 And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

WHEN you think of Scripture's great miracles, do you ever list Elijah's parting of the Jordan as in 2 Kings 2:8? How about Elisha doing the same thing here in 2 Kings 2:14? These are extraordinary events! Twice in a short period of time God divides the waters of a river, so Elijah and Elisha can safely cross over. Surely this is as remarkable as the God parting the Jordan in Joshua 4. It is also God's same miracle power that parted the Red Sea. Surely, the same power was on Jesus he walked on Galilee's water. (John 6). God took the same extraordinary measures through these men as he did with Moses, Joshua and Jesus for one purpose: to demonstrate his majesty and his might that all would believe.

           Elisha's time has come to be God's instrument of power over Israel. But do his first words, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" sound as if Elisha is wondering, "Will God actually show up in my work? Will I have the power of Elijah?" This, though, is not a question of testing. This is more of an expression of expectation. Elisha expects God's affirming response. He acknowledges he needs God to part the waters, to do the miracles. The cloak and his own life are mere tools in the hands of the Lord God. Elisha is telling God, "I'm ready now for the 'double portion' to be in me."

           Yes, the river's parting shows the witnesses that Elisha truly succeeds Elijah. They confess "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." Elisha begins to live in the authority of his calling, and the public proclamation begins to go forth.

           What about you? Do you feel you are an instrument of God's power? You are, you know, as he has anointed Jesus' blood over you. In your salvation, he calls you to walk faithfully with him. Your purpose is to know the way to the Lord, so you will show the way to the Lord for those who must know. 

Prayer: Strengthen my steps, Holy Spirit, that I will faithfully fulfill the purpose of my salvation. In Jesus' name, amen.