“…Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” – 2 Kings 2:9-10
Elijah was a prophet of the Lord in Israel during the reign of King Ahab.
Elijah was one of the very few prophets in that time who actually spoke in accordance with what the Lord revealed to Him rather than what the king wanted to hear.
This caused him to be a target for persecution by the king and his wife Jezebel. However, the Lord protected him and sustained him until his assignment was over.
When Elijah was about to return to heaven, he offered to grant Elisha, his protege, any request.
Elisha could have asked for anything such as money, food or housing but instead he requested a double portion of Elijah’s spirit – the same spirit by which Elijah prophesied and advanced God’s kingdom on earth.
This is very admirable because as humans, we are conditioned to fend for ourselves and prioritize our own needs and wants above everything and everyone else, including God.
However, Elisha requested a double portion of Elijah’s spirit which would equip him to further advance God’s kingdom on earth through his prophetic ministry. In doing so, Elisha prioritized God and His kingdom above himself.
This is what it means to give up one’s life for God. We no longer walk through life selfishly; instead, we ought to give up every weight that may be holding us back from following Christ and trust Him to sustain us as we put Him first (Matthew 6:33).
PRAYER: Lord, help me to prioritize You and Your kingdom above all else. As I do so, help to also trust You to sustain me in the process in Jesus name. Amen.