Elisha knew that his master’s leaving wasn’t too far off, and he would soon have to take up the role as the prophet of Israel according to the prophecy over him (1Kings 17). But his deep concern was would he be able to take up this role? His master was one who spoke God’s word fearlessly and confronted and killed all the false prophets. Elisha knew if he was to continue this ministry he could only do it in the ‘Anointing of the Lord.’

Is it any different for us as followers of Christ? Paul says in 1 Cor.4:20: “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” This was the reason Jesus told the disciples to wait till they receive power from on high (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4). But the only way we are going to receive this anointing is by waiting in God’s presence the same way the disciples did.

In our reading today, we see Elisha also waiting on his master till he received the anointing. But he had to go to several places with his master before he received it. Each of those stops (places) Elijah made with Elisha has significance for a believer today—an area that God will deal in us to make us His Temple where He resides. (1Cor. 3:16)

The first stop: Gilgal – This place represents a spiritual and emotional state where our reproach was taken away (Josh.5 :9). Before knowing Christ everything we did was under the sway of the devil and he held us captive. But once we gave the lordship of our lives to Christ, through His work on Calvary he rolled away all our sin, guilt and shame that brought us disapproval. We begin as new creations in Christ Jesus with all our past wiped clean.

The second stop: Bethel – This place where Jacob worshipped God (Gen.28;35) represents God teaching us to worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Being born again now we no longer worship God religiously bringing an offering, but we offer our very lives on the altar as a sacrifice of worship (Rom 12:1&2).

The third stop: Jericho – This place represents a life totally surrendered to Jesus, living every moment according to His instruction. When Joshua was asked to go against Jericho, God gave him a strategy of war that was never ever heard before(Josh.6). Only a surrendered life could accept this war plan and see God give them the victory. For us believers, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, to take up His cross and follow Him. Only such a life will receive and obey God’s instructions.

The last Stop: Jordan – This place represents the Promise of God. Once God has worked in all these areas in our lives he fulfills his promise given to us in Joel 2:28 and reconfirmed in Acts 2:17 – He will pour out his Spirit upon of all people. Right through Scripture we read the great acts men of God have accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. Be it Samson who killed the Philistines with a jawbone, Elijah who raised the widow’s son to life or the disciples who were willing to become martyrs for Christ, all were done through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit!

Elisha now having received a double portion, went on to do twice as much miracles as Elijah. May we wait on the Lord and receive a fresh anointing so we would be His witness unto the ends of the earth!

Quote of the Day: Have we Holy Spirit power - power that restricts the devil's power, pulls down strongholds and obtains promises?~Leonard Ravenhill