Passage Read: 1 Kings 22 - 2 Kings 3
Meditation Verses: 2 Kings 2:2-3
Thought
Most men jump at the opportunity to break free of their leader. Everyone wants to lead rather than follow. Everyone wants to be in charge rather than submit to another. There does come a time in some men's lives when the Lord removes his head from over him and makes him his own head. It is not explicitly sin or wrong not to be submitted to another human authority. In the Kingdom of God, that time usually doesn't come until the one in training has learned well that he is never really the one in charge but understands what it means to submit fully to the Lord and listen carefully to Him to do all He desires. It is not something to be grasped, as Elisha shows. Three times he was urged to stay put, but he refused to take the invitation to independence, rather he remained committed to his lord until the Lord removed him. He would not break away at the first opportunity, but would remain faithful until there was no one left to be faithful to. And if he had left early, he would not have received the gift of a double portion of Elijah's spirit. He proved he was trustworthy, a true servant and not just angling for power. And so the Lord could give him great power and authority, knowing he would use it for His purposes rather than for Elisha's personal interests.
Application
Loyalty to the end is what prepares a man for absolute loyalty to the Lord and proves he is worthy of such trust. Am I content to serve another or must I gain independence or control as quickly as possible? If I end up in charge with no one over me, what do I do with that freedom? Do I serve myself or do I serve the Lord? Each of those situations tests my loyalty to the Lord in different ways. I don't want to be the guy that is eager for the top position, to have my leader removed from over me, but neither do I need to fear if it comes to me, if I have devoted myself to serving whomever is over me.