Pot Bangers - Pt 3

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.” 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.” 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. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. (2 Kings 2:9-12 ESV). Much has happened since Elijah found Elisha and God anointed him to succeed Elijah. The young man chosen as Elijah’s successor had a lot going for him. He was smart, guessing at once what the older man meant by throwing him his cloak; eager to take up the challenge; thoughtful toward the parents and generous to the neighbors he was leaving; whole-hearted in burning his boats behind him as he embarked on a new life. He would prove himself to be able and fearless. Elijah, on the other hand, had been feeling distinctly old and jaded, though in fact his days of service were far from over. It was not “all in his mind,” either. Israel was indeed in a bad way. The larger plan that God had now revealed to his servant showed an inevitable judgment looming, though with the promise, as always, of a faithful remnant to be preserved. Years would pass. Much would happen in both of their lives. In all of it God would remain faithful to them. You know, just when the world seems to be falling apart around us, it is quite a blessing to realize that the Lord is raising up a new generation of servants in no way inferior to us. Our reading shows us the end of Elijah’s walk with the Lord. Elisha gets a double portion of strength and wisdom and he gets a fiery chariot ride to his eternal home. You may have so much on your plate right now that the last thing on your mind is a fiery chariot ride; however, God’s promise to his children is that we will be brought safely to our home which has been prepared specifically for us. This is how Jesus said it: Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3 ESV). You may need to cry out in your frustration, but don’t camp out there. This world is not our home. This work is not our final call. He has much better in mind; and, what he thinks to do, will be done. It is only a matter of time now. Maybe it will be today! Trust your Father in heaven to do it. He will see you home safely!