Quiet Time Coaching Episode 460 | New Thing Series — Part 15 | “Elisha’s Faith” | Malcolm Cox

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 460 | New Thing Series — Part 15 | “Elisha’s Faith” | Malcolm Cox

 

Introduction

A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'

 

We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the lives of Elijah and Elisha. Today we explore Elisha’s faith.

 

“Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

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.” (2 Kings 2:13-15 NIV11)

 

Elisha’s faith is tested by grief

• Can you imagine how Elijah felt seeing his father in the faith leave him behind?
• We get some sense of his anguish by the way that he cries out ““My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!”” 2 Kings 2:12.
• Our faith is tested by our losses in life. Have you had a loss recently? How is that affecting your faith in God?
• How does Elisha respond to his grief?

 

Elisha’s faith is immediately active

• Picture in your mind Elisha standing on the edge of Jordan, remembering the very recent experience of Elijah parting the waters. Did the cloak quiver in his hand? Was his mouth dry before he spoke?
• Elisha had once had that mantle symbolically laid on his shoulders (1 Kings 19:19); now it would rest there permanently.
• However he was feeling, he struck the water and called out to the Lord. How did God respond?
• God rewarded his faith by repeating the miracle performed by Elijah.

 

For Reflection

It took faithful courage for Elisha to pick up Elijah's cloak. It took even more courage to strike the water, and further courage to call out to the Lord for vindication. Was there a temptation to put off such an action until tomorrow? Shouldn't there be a time of morning in honour of Elijah first? You see, Elisha understood Elijah's spirit. He had spent enough time with his mentor to know that Elijah would want Elisha to act immediately in faith. Acting in faith does not get easier because we postpone a decision. Have you been putting off an act of faith? Why not determine that, after praying about it today, you will take action?

 

Conclusion

I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.

 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

 

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"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

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