“…all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” – Romans 8:28-29 (NKJV)
What an assurance! To be called to service by The Most High God; to be found trustworthy enough to bear the image of His only begotten Son!
Elisha was such a man. He may have thought of himself as average in terms of wealth. When Elijah found him, he was ploughing his field beside his twenty-four oxen. He wanted to say farewell to his parents before assuming his responsibility to the Lord. In response to Elijah’s comment, he sacrificed two of those animals to the Lord and fed the people (1st Kings 19:19-21). All these are typical behaviours of those whom God would call – hardworking, committed to their family, responsible, and generous.
Elisha also proved over time that he was committed to hearing from God for himself. Beloved, this is a determination we should all seek to acquire and maintain. After following Elijah for some time, Elisha became aware that the Lord was going to take his mentor, Elijah, from the earth. He had no idea when. He just knew the time was drawing close.
Some religious leaders, first from Bethel and then from Jericho, asked if he was aware of it. Elisha’s answer to both groups was, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” (2nd Kings 2:3-5).
There is a lesson here for all of us, beloved. First of all, we must develop and nurture a close relationship with our Lord so that He never does anything without first alerting us. Remember when He wanted to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? He told Abraham before He did it. He informed Moses that he would not enter Canaan, only view it. He warned Noah of the flood. He told us before He sent His Only Begotten Son to die in our place. He promised us to be filled with His Holy Spirit.
God warns, and He promises. We only have to listen to Him. So when others come to tell us, ‘Thus says the Lord,’ we can say like Elisha, “Yes, I know; keep silent!
Read: Proverbs 19:21; Ephesians 2:10
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 31:10-20; Revelation 18:1-17; Nehemiah 5; Nehemiah 6; Nehemiah 7:1-3