February 20, 2025

Passage Read: 1 Kings 22 - 2 Kings 3
Meditation Verses: 2 Kings 2:6-9

Thought

Elijah tested Elisha three times, encouraging him to remain behind at different points while Elijah went on to his point of departure. Elisha knew that Elijah would soon be departing, and refused to leave his side. He was loyal to the end, as opposed to being eager to start his own work. Had he left Elijah early, he might still have had a ministry as a prophet, like the companies of prophets they kept encountering. But because he insisted on staying with Elijah to the end, Elijah offered to grant him a final request. And Elisha was rewarded with his request, a double portion of Elijah's spirit!

Application

God still might use those who are eager to start their own ministries, but He is more pleased with those who are willing to serve until He chooses to remove their leader. He tests loyalty and submission by granting, even encouraging "servants" to go free. But those servants who remain servants until their master is removed by God, these He is willing to grant an even greater blessing and ministry. As Jesus said, if I really want to be great, I need to be the servant of all, rather than so quick to strike off on my own. There is a kind of greatness that comes from starting a new ministry, especially if successful. But in God's eyes, He is more impressed and has greater blessing for those who live to serve another until He removes that other.