Memorize: And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. 2 Kings 2:2
Devotional Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-10
There are some vital lessons we can benefit from the story of Elijah and Elisha found in our Bible reading of today. The first thing we see in that story is that God always has something better, more precious and more glorious in store for His children. No matter where you are and where you plan to be, God always has a better plan for you. This is why 2 Timothy 1:9 says, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began”
God has a unique purpose for your life. When you become born again, you are called by God to fulfill that purpose, and He also called you to holiness 1
Thessalonians 4:7. This call of God on you is referred to as a ‘high calling’ (Philippians 3:14). Therefore, no matter how good you are in strategic planning, there is still a need for you to subordinate your plans under God’s will and allow Him have His way in your life. No wonder Psalm 37:5 says that you shall not fail to commit your ways into the hands of God and trust Him to help you in actualizing your plans. This is also why Proverbs 3:5-7 says that you should always tell God of your plans, so that He will provide you divine guidance. Do you trust God enough to let Him direct your steps? Elisha was a successful businessman before the mantle of God’s call fell on him, and he left his business to follow God’s plan for his life 1 Kings 19:19. Eventually, he became a father to the whole nation of Israel and kings called him ‘father’
Moreover, another lesson is that although God has a higher glory ahead for you, He can use people, situations and circumstances to test your resolve along the way. Sometimes when test come, we don’t recognize them as tests, and because of this, many of us fail the test.
You have to pray that God should help you fit into his plan and pass the tests of life, you will not be a failure. When Prophet Elijah was to be taken away, he told his servant Elisha that he had been sent by God on some errands and that Elisha should not bother to follow him. Thank God Elisha
was dogged and sensitive enough to realize that it was a test, and he passed the test brilliantly. Some tests of life are so crucial that failing them may rubbish all the past good efforts one has put into achieving greatness. May you not fail in the tests of life!
May the LORD give you an uncommon grace to pass the tests of life and be a success in Jesus name.
Prayer point: Father, please help me fit into the plan you have for me and let me not be a failure in Jesus name.
Key Dose: Always remember that each test is a potential elevator to your next higher level in God’s plan.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)