When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” (2 Kings 2:9, 10 ESV)
When I was in Junior High there was a man who came and spoke to the students about making a list of the things they wanted to do in life. He told us of some of his adventures and then we all wrote down some things that we would like to experience and or see over our lifetime. I wrote down a number of things (which most have been fulfilled already). However, there is one that I wrote down (and I'm not even sure why I wrote this down) - but it was that I would someday take a boat down the Amazon River. I think I must have just seen a National Geographic magazine or something like that. I'm not sure if it is really on my bucket list for the future or if it was just a Junior Higher dream but when I think of the humidity and mosquitos and the length of the airplane trip to get there - I am now having second thoughts.
Let me ask you today - what are you looking for in life? What are your dreams? What are your fears that keep you from pursing your dreams? What "thing" is on your bucket list has yet to be fulfilled?
Elisha was asked the same question by his mentor Elijah. Elisha knew immediately what it was that he wanted and spoke it back to Elijah.
When Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted he said he wanted a double portion of Elijah's spirit. He was not content with what he had, he wanted more. He was not even content with what Elijah had, he wanted even more.
Elijah replied that this was a difficult request - but it was granted. We also need to dream big dreams and ask big things of our God. We are not content with what we have, we want God to do things which have never been done before.
What do you want this morning? If you go to the grocery store without a list, odds are that you will end up getting everything but what you were suppose to. If you could ask God for anything today, what would you ask for? .
In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” (2 Chronicles 1:7-10 ESV)
Solomon was faced with the same question and was able to speak out what it was in heart that he was praying for.
If asked that question - what single request would you make? What double portion do you request. What would your relationship with Christ look like this morning if your passion for worship was doubled. If your desire to witness was doubled. If your desire to give or serve or your prayer life or time spend in the Bible was doubled.
Elisha received what he wanted. He got what he asked for.
And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him opposite them, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. (2 Kings 2:11-15 ESV)
Elisha pressed on and received what he asked for. He request was granted. As Elisha returned he asked "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" and struck the water and the Jordan parted. Elijah had been a great prophet and had done many amazing things. Elisha would go on to do even greater things than Elijah.
I heard a story about a little boy who lived out in the country around the turn of the century. He had never seen a traveling circus, and one was coming to his town on Saturday. When he asked his father for permission to go, his dad said he could providing his chores were done early. Saturday morning came. Chores finished, the little boy asked his father for some money to go to the circus. His dad reached down in his overalls and pulled out a dollar bill, the most money the boy had ever seen at one time. Off the little wide-eyed fellow went. As he approached the town, he saw people lining the streets. Peering through the line at one point, he got his first glimpse of the parade. There were animals in cages and marching bands. Finally, a clown was seen bringing up the rear of the parade. The little boy was so excited that when the clown passed, he reached in his pocket and handed him the precious dollar bill. Thinking he had seen the circus when he had only seen the parade, the little boy turned around and went home.
Isn’t it sad that some people come to church like this little boy who went to the circus? They may come with the intent to worship God, but all they see is the parade – the parade of liturgy, hymn singings, prayers, and preaching. They peer through their pews at all the activity and then go home; thinking they have been to God’s house, but yet they missed the main event – a personal encounter with Jesus Christ!
Don't sell yourself short in regards to your dreams and desires and prayers. Keep praying. Keep believing and DON'T GIVE UP! Keep your eyes on the most important dream - a deep and changing relationship with Jesus. Trust Him to guide you through whatever obstacle and storm that you are going through and He will see you through to the end.
God will fulfill the desires of your heart and if those desires are not right He has a way of changing them and making them His desires. In the meantime - don't lose that list of dreams.
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