Years ago I was at a conference and someone preached on, "Where is the God of Elijah?" As the night went on praise and worship began to rise in the large church. We began to yell, "Where is the God of Elijah?"
2 Kings 2:14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?"
Elijah had his servant, Elisha, with him as the time arrived, and he was taken up into heaven by a whirlwind. Elijah asked his servant a question, "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." Elisha had watched this powerful man of God in dealing with the things of the Lord, and he desired what Elijah had and more. A mantle would be given to him as he would watch Elijah be taken away in a chariot of fire and a whirlwind. This mantle fell from the whirlwind and Elisha "took up" the mantle.
A mantle is a large garment or robe. It is a covering. Once Elisha put on that mantle, he was putting on the continued ministry, responsibility, and covenant with God that Elijah had and now doubling that by his request. He went to the Jordan river, the same Jordan river that Elijah and himself had just crossed earlier. Elijah took his mantle and struck the water and it divided and they crossed on dry ground. Now Elisha stands before this river without his leader and teacher. He stood alone and it was time to take up the mantle and use it.
Where is the God of Elijah? This was the test. This moment would tell him if he was granted what he had asked for. Would the water of this river part and he would be able to pass on dry ground without his long time teacher with him? The water did part and Elisha would go on to do great exploits in his ministry.
There are 3 things I want you to notice about this amazing story of Elisha.
1. He had to hunger for it. He followed Elijah and watched him serve the Lord with power. It is great to see the power of God! But he also would watch the price Elijah would pay; the sacrifices he would make to carry that mantle. When we desire to serve the Lord in a higher calling than the level we are at we must also remember that we must be willing to do what needs to be done to wear this mantle.
2. He had to put it on. Elisha had to put that mantle on with the knowledge that he now would be responsible to do the work of a prophet. The Lord would hold him accountable to get done what the Lord needed done through him. No excuses that he was too busy or too tired. He had to be busy in the office of the prophet not with the business of this world.
3. He had to use it. Once Elisha put that mantle on he had to begin to use it for the work that the Lord wanted to do. He had to be in total listening mode for his instructions with his heavenly Father to know the will of the Father. He had to be sold out to serving his Lord in all that he did.
What a huge responsibility this had to be for Elisha! As we stood in that church and yelled out, "Where is the God of Elijah?" What we were saying is, we also want what Elisha wanted, the mantle. I don't believe any of us really understood what we were asking for. I know I have learned along the way, sometimes I get it right and sometimes I do not. There are days I am sold out and there are days I am too tired and beaten down to get done what needs to be done.
I know one thing for sure, even in our failures and our weaknesses God still uses us, and He is asking a question today. Where are My Daniel's? Where are My Esther's? Where are My Joseph's? Where are My Deborah's? The Holy Spirit is in pursuit to find those that would pick up a mantle and put it on . To take the responsibility of this greater call. Will you be that one?
I pray this is a word you will ponder today. I pray you will pick up the mantle that has been tossed to you, or that you would search out the mantle God has called you to.
Sherry Gorslin
2 Kings 2:14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?"
Elijah had his servant, Elisha, with him as the time arrived, and he was taken up into heaven by a whirlwind. Elijah asked his servant a question, "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." Elisha had watched this powerful man of God in dealing with the things of the Lord, and he desired what Elijah had and more. A mantle would be given to him as he would watch Elijah be taken away in a chariot of fire and a whirlwind. This mantle fell from the whirlwind and Elisha "took up" the mantle.
A mantle is a large garment or robe. It is a covering. Once Elisha put on that mantle, he was putting on the continued ministry, responsibility, and covenant with God that Elijah had and now doubling that by his request. He went to the Jordan river, the same Jordan river that Elijah and himself had just crossed earlier. Elijah took his mantle and struck the water and it divided and they crossed on dry ground. Now Elisha stands before this river without his leader and teacher. He stood alone and it was time to take up the mantle and use it.
Where is the God of Elijah? This was the test. This moment would tell him if he was granted what he had asked for. Would the water of this river part and he would be able to pass on dry ground without his long time teacher with him? The water did part and Elisha would go on to do great exploits in his ministry.
There are 3 things I want you to notice about this amazing story of Elisha.
1. He had to hunger for it. He followed Elijah and watched him serve the Lord with power. It is great to see the power of God! But he also would watch the price Elijah would pay; the sacrifices he would make to carry that mantle. When we desire to serve the Lord in a higher calling than the level we are at we must also remember that we must be willing to do what needs to be done to wear this mantle.
2. He had to put it on. Elisha had to put that mantle on with the knowledge that he now would be responsible to do the work of a prophet. The Lord would hold him accountable to get done what the Lord needed done through him. No excuses that he was too busy or too tired. He had to be busy in the office of the prophet not with the business of this world.
3. He had to use it. Once Elisha put that mantle on he had to begin to use it for the work that the Lord wanted to do. He had to be in total listening mode for his instructions with his heavenly Father to know the will of the Father. He had to be sold out to serving his Lord in all that he did.
What a huge responsibility this had to be for Elisha! As we stood in that church and yelled out, "Where is the God of Elijah?" What we were saying is, we also want what Elisha wanted, the mantle. I don't believe any of us really understood what we were asking for. I know I have learned along the way, sometimes I get it right and sometimes I do not. There are days I am sold out and there are days I am too tired and beaten down to get done what needs to be done.
I know one thing for sure, even in our failures and our weaknesses God still uses us, and He is asking a question today. Where are My Daniel's? Where are My Esther's? Where are My Joseph's? Where are My Deborah's? The Holy Spirit is in pursuit to find those that would pick up a mantle and put it on . To take the responsibility of this greater call. Will you be that one?
I pray this is a word you will ponder today. I pray you will pick up the mantle that has been tossed to you, or that you would search out the mantle God has called you to.
Sherry Gorslin
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