Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Based Upon 2 Kings 2:15

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“And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.”

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Elisha had the privilege of investing all of his time with Elijah right before the Lord carried him away to heaven. They ate together. They no doubt worshipped together. They communed one with the other. Elijah certainly shared testimonies of God’s goodness with the younger prophet. When the Lord saw fit to translate Elijah to heaven, and Elisha witnessed the blessing, he received the promised power from God to do even greater works than his master Elijah did. Have we heard anything like this in Scripture before (John 14:11-13)? Elijah went to heaven to our heavenly Father, and Elisha continued the work he was endowed to do according to the pattern he was given.

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There is so much for us to learn in this passage of Scripture, but I will narrow our focus to a small portion. Many are the times God manifested His reflection in the lives of His people in Scripture. After Moses had communed with Him in the Mount, experiencing as much of His glory as one can and continue living, he came down glowing so brightly, that the people told him to veil his face (Exodus 34:29-35). He reflected his Master’s image. The three Hebrew boys were cast alive into an accelerated fiery furnace, and Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth Person walking around with them loose, whom he said looked like the Son of God (Daniel 3:25). How would he have known what the Son of God looked like? Could it be that his encounters with the faithful young men gave him a glimpse of what God was like? They reflected their Master’s image. Lastly, not long after Jesus ascended to heaven, Peter and John healed a man in Jesus’ name. It so amazed those who were present, especially since they knew they were just ordinary men, that they recognized Peter and John had been with Jesus. These men reflected their Master’s image. Likewise, in our theme text and surrounding verses, we see that Elisha manifested similar works to his master, beginning with the parting of the Jordan River. The manifestation of God’s power was so incredible that the sons of the prophets could not help but to show respect.

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I suppose that at this point, the lesson we must all learn in context of this story is obvious, but I will state it anyway: When we invest quality time in the presence of God in humble submission, relishing in His glory, we will reflect a manifestation of His image for all onlookers to see. The Bible put’s it this way: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). Ask the Lord today, to reveal His character and light through your life, so others will want to know Him.--L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)