Elisha began his ministry. And, interestingly enough, he began it with the same miracle that Elijah had ended his. He parted the waters of the Jordan River. All who watched and observed knew that Elisha was now the lead prophet of God. There was no doubt that God’s hand was upon Elisha and he was greatly respected for it. The company of the prophets from Jericho were watching. They said, “The spirit of Elijah has been given to Elisha.” 2 Kings 2:15 Elisha was truly blessed receiving twice the amount of God’s Spirit. God knew he could rely on Elisha to deliver his plan. There was much work to be done.
Elisha was not Elijah; but he served the same God. Their backgrounds were so different. Elisha was from a wealthy farming family. Elijah on the other hand, came from an unknowable background. He was from Gilead and had developed the reputation of popping in and out. He’d come in and duty done; he was gone. God chose him for specific tasks and would then tell him to wait elsewhere until he was called again. Elijah spent his life living in caves, by brooks and the outdoors. He was a plain man with simple tastes and unelaborate ways of living.
Whether we are plain, wealthy, simple or extremely intelligent God will use us. God involves people in his work. He uses people just like us. Basically, this is how much of his work is completed. The Bible historically records the remarkable things his prophets did. And, it also records that these prophets were ordinary people, just like us. “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” James 5:17-18.
Commitment to God’s service is not necessarily an easy thing. But, if we let his Spirit guide us as we work for him; the tasks set before us will get done. If we but work parallel to the will of God and trust him to guide us as we take on the tasks at hand; we will survive the quest and rest assuredly in the satisfaction of knowing that God is with us.
“We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left.” 2nd Corinthians 6:3-10
ritasalomon 