Ask for a hard thing !

2 Kings 2:9-10, ‘And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” ¹⁰ So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” ‘

 It was now time for Elijah to go back to the heavenly abode. And Elisha knew it and he found himself literally pursuing Elijah, even when he was asked to tarry. Thus they together went to Bethel, Jericho and Jordan. And finally Elijah asked Elisha as to what he desired. He asked for double portion of Spirit. Elijah answered that he had asked for a ‘hard thing’.

Elijah was a bold prophet of God. Many mighty things were done through him.  In 1 Kings 17, he prophesied that it would not rain for the next 3 years and it happened so. Later, he blessed the barrel of meal and cruse of oil of a widow in such a way that she and her son could sustain on that for the entire period of famine. After 3 years of famine, Elijah prayed for a rain and it rained heavily. In all these cases, we don’t find him tagging any of these miracles as ‘a hard thing’.  But as soon as Elisha asked for double portion of Spirit, he termed it as something ‘hard’.

We ought to understand one thing. We often seek for miracles and we feel that they are toughest things to be received. But here, its clear that more than all miracles and wonders, the toughest thing is to grow spiritually. Miracles can be bestowed upon mustard like faith lives, but spiritual growth can be bestowed upon lives like Elisha who are willing to pursue the divine blessings & upon lives like Moses who are willing to climb up the tough way of mount Sinai. In other words, spiritual growth is only for lives who are willing to work hard on spiritual aspects of obedience and discipline.

In the subsequent verses, we see the chariot of fire appearing and taking away Elijah and his mantle being picked up by Elisha. Soon miracles started following Elisha as it followed Elijah. What provokes our mind set here  is that soon after Elijah said that Elisha had asked for a hard thing, he is being bestowed with what he asked for. In that case, what was the factor that was considered as ‘hard’ by prophet Elijah ?

2 Kings 2:11, ‘Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.’  Even after pronouncing the desire of Elisha as ‘hard thing’ , he did not draw back. ‘They continued on and talked…’  Elisha would not be satisfied anything less than the double portion of Elijah’s anointment. He continued to seek without any change in the earnestness for same. However hard it would be, Elisha was ready to go for it. And as soon as this attitude was manifested, he was blessed with what he asked for. If we are on the verge of giving up, be reminded my dear friends that our attitude towards heavenly blessings are being tested. Let nothing make us weary, not the time factor nor the hard work being involved. It’s the sustenance in  steadiness & earnestness for spiritual growth which is the ‘hard thing’. How often the situations of our life and delays in getting answers influence & fluctuate the thirst for spiritual blessings ! God did not intend to make Elisha pursue Elijah more than he could handle. The moment his attitude towards the run was tested and approved,  the anointment was bestowed upon him.

On the other hand, Elijah was taken up into heaven, leaving Elisha to take up his place as promised (1 Kings 19:15-16). Elisha could not leave till Elisha was ready to take up his office, for God had commanded Elijah to anoint Elisha to be a prophet. So, when a promise is given to us, more than us, it’s the desire of heaven to make it to come to pass, for His promises are always for His purposes and His glory. Many Elijah’s are eagerly waiting for Elisha’s to take up their office so that they are released for their next assignment. Let’s not keep them waiting for the time is running out. His work needs to be completed for His return in glory is fast approaching. Let our pursuit for heavenly blessings be steadfast and continuous. Elisha had the promise that he would be anointed to be a prophet. But for that promise to be fulfilled, he had to do his part well. No divine promises come to pass  unless we do our part well.

2 Kings 3:11, ‘But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured^[a] water on the hands of Elijah.”’  Elisha used to pour water on the hands of Elijah i.e he literally served this man of God. Serving honest and faithful men and women of God is like serving God Himself. Elisha was like a faithful personal attendant to Elijah, doing all that he was asked to do. But he refused to be satisfied with that. Surely God himself put an earnest thirst for the anointment as per his calling and Elisha responded well and faithfully. Its God who works in us to will and to do His good pleasure. But to see His good pleasure to come to manifestation, we need to respond well. Let’s not be satisfied with what God is doing through us right now. Much more is to be done through each of us. Its true that the way ahead is not easy, but lets fix or eyes on the Lord who is the author and finisher of our faith.

After serving Elijah for all these years, when being asked what he wanted, Elisha asked for double portion of the Spirit of the Lord. Its interesting that he did not tell Elijah , ‘Master, please do not leave. Continue to be here and I will continue to pour water on your hands’.  Its because Elisha realized that its not the presence of Elijah which would satisfy Elisha’s thirsty soul, but its only the Spirit of the Lord who could satisfy him. Its sad to see many pursuing men and women of God instead of the presence of the Lord. Their presence indeed edifies us and guides us, but lets realize that only the Lord’s presence Himself can satisfy our souls. Ps.107:9, ‘For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.’

Elisha was anointed and he carried on the Lord’s work from the point where Elijah had left it. Elisha surely did not miss Elijah much for the Lord’s anointment Himself filled the gap left by Elijah.  A successful leader is one who makes sure that his or her presence is never missed in their absence. Such leaders equip the team in such a way that they get connected to the Lord in such a way that all things go on smoothly even in the absence of the leader. Today’s leaders need to go ahead with new assignments awaiting them. And for a smooth transition, let’s be like Elijah’s not discouraging the team of Elisha’s.  Elijah became the stepping stone for Elisha to come up in spiritual life. As we continue to run for the Lord, may our lives also be the stepping stones for aspiring lives to carry on the work of the Lord. God’s work cannot end up with end of lives and neither does He depend on any man. If we do not raise them up, God will faithfully raise them up,  but we might loose our destination. The master of the heaven and the earth is mighty to raise up even stones to do His work. Even the wind and the waves obey His word. But His eyes continue to hope patiently from the ones for whom He paid the price. Not aspiring and thirsting for spiritual growth is in fact an act of disobedience, which is leading many astray from this run of faith. Lets ask for the ‘hard thing’ of spiritual growth and continue to aspire like Elisha inspite of all the hurdles that might come on our track. Phil.1:6, ‘….. being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;……’

 God bless us all

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