Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha . . . saw him no more —2 Kings 2:11-12
It is not wrong for you to depend on your “Elijah” for as long as God gives him to you. But remember that the time will come when he must leave and will no longer be your guide and your leader, because God does not intend for him to stay. Even the thought of that causes you to say, “I cannot continue without my ’Elijah.’ ” Yet God says you must continue.
Alone at Your “Jordan” (Kings 2:14). The Jordan River represents the type of separation where you have no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one else can take your responsibility from you. You now have to put to the test what you learned when you were with your “Elijah.” You have been to the Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are facing it alone. There is no use in saying that you cannot go— the experience is here, and you must go. If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your “Jordan” alone.
Alone at Your “Jericho” (2 Kings 2:15). Jericho represents the place where you have seen your “Elijah” do great things. Yet when you come alone to your “Jericho,” you have a strong reluctance to take the initiative and trust in God, wanting, instead, for someone else to take it for you. But if you remain true to what you learned while with your “Elijah,” you will receive a sign, as Elisha did, that God is with you.
Alone at Your “Bethel” (2 Kings 2:23). At your “Bethel” you will find yourself at your wits’ end but at the beginning of God’s wisdom. When you come to your wits’ end and feel inclined to panic— don’t! Stand true to God and He will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Put into practice what you learned while with your “Elijah”— use his mantle and pray (see 2 Kings 2:13-14). Make a determination to trust in God, and do not even look for Elijah anymore.
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Aug 11 2011 Journal DJR
Good Morning, Lord. Today’s message reminds me of the parallels that I find in life about staying the course on a vision. There is an exciting time early on, maybe with an Elijah, or even a group of encouragers. But then they are removed. Maybe go against me or maybe just move on. That is the time of Jordan, Jericho & Bethel. Will I quit or will I hang in there? Will I turn to you alone? Maybe after I hang in there for a while on my own and searching for another Elijah?
There are many parallels for anyone to observe, if they have an inclination to observe … eyes to see. When the night comes there are two choices that you tend to make. Buckle down and dig in and dont quit … but pretty much in your own will power. Better than quitting, and it gets you to the second option, which is giving up and turning to me. The sooner you can get to that place, the better. There can be collateral damage with gritting your teeth and holding on in your own power.
Lord help me not give up on the Visions that are from you … but help me give up sooner on my own power and get to where I’m relying on you alone. How about not even going there to my own power first? I would like that, but it seems that my creative mind (that you gave me) immediately goes to work to “solve” problems…
I made you that way. It is up to you to bring that creativity to me and we will work together. It will be better and faster. But until you get that perfected, you can expect some Jordans, Jerichos & Bethels. That’s how we get it perfected.
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