Double Portion
There are times when I’m really hungry and I will have an extra portion of food. This is often a bad choice, because a single portion should suffice. There are times when I feel like I can’t get enough of a good thing, such as a good book or a good podcast – something that is helping me to grow.
Elisha was a protégé of Elijah, the great prophet of God. Elijah had accomplished some amazing works on behalf of the Lord. The Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven and it seems that a lot of people knew it. Elisha was trying to take in as much time with great prophet as possible. They went together to several places as if Elijah wanted to see some people one last time. Check this out….
9 When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.”
And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”
10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”
11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress. (2 Kings 2:9-12 NLT)
I think it would cool to be taken to heaven in such a way as Elijah. I love Elisha’s answer when asked what I can do for you. A double portion of Elijah’s spirit is a big ask. I do think it was a healthy request. After being mentored by Elijah, it was a natural request. I haven’t really thought much about asking for a double portion of another person’s spirit. I think it wise to be led and counseled by another as I grow and mature. Likewise, I believe that I should pay it forward much like Elijah did with Elisha. If I can encourage, motivate and inspire another to daily seek the Lord’s heart in His Word, then I’ve done something worth doing. I want a double portion of the Lord’s heart to be seen in me. I want to be doubly kind, doubly generous, doubly patient and doubly present. A double portion of God’s Spirit in me, gives me plenty to leave with others.
Pressing On!
Dwayne