Unwavering Faith

By Pastora Beth Lee

There are many strange encounters between God and man in the bible. God used ravens to feed Elijah when he was hiding from Jezebel in the desert (1 Kings 17:4-6). God used a donkey to speak to Balaam (Numbers 2228) Jonah was swallowed by a big fish becasue he disobeyed Godn(Jonah 1:17). Daniel was not devoured by the lions in the den (Daniel 6:16). With these illustrations, we can see that what is impossible with men is possible with God (Luke 18:27).

2 Kings 2:15-25 says, “The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. “Look,” they said, “we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has picked him up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley.” “No,” Elisha replied, “do not send them.” But they persisted until he was too embarrassed to refuse. So he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?” The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our Lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.” “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’ ” And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.”

There were so many strange encounters in this story. Who is Elisha? He is one of Israel’s prophets in the Old Testament. He is the successor of the prophet Elijah. He vowed never to leave Elijah even is he was asked to do so he also knnew that Elijah was going to be taken by God soon. Still, he refused to leave him. Elijah also walked in the steps of Moses when he parted the Jordan River. They have the same power and authority. When Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted or expected from him, that was a huge invitation. Elisha actually wanted a double portion of what Elijah had. He wanted the Lord to use him mightily too! And because he wanted it, God gave it to him. Elisha witnessed when his mentor was taken by a chariot of fire to heaven. And he was also able to make the Jordan part when he needed to cross it again. He received what he asked for because he knew what he was called to do.

Prophets are called to give directions form God. He is His spokesperson. God wil move in your life if He knows that you truly believe in Him.

The story highlights the importance of respecting and honoring those who serve God, as seen in Elisha’s reverence for Elijah and the consequences faced by those who mocked Elisha. If you do not respect the servant of the Lord, there will be consequences. His commitment to following Elijah and serving God demonstrated the value of faithfulness and of fulfilling one’s calling. (V. 2,4,6)

The miraculous events such as Elijah’s ascension and Elisha’s parting of the water underscore God’s power and sovereignity over all creation. (V. 12,14)

Application:

When interacting with spiritual leaders, show respect and humility, acknowledging God’s work through them.

In challenging situations, seek God’s intervention through prayer, trusing in God’s power to provide and heal.

When facing obstacles to faith, trust that God will see His mission through.