I was recently reading through the stories of Elisha in the
book of 2 kings. You Version had a 13 day reading plan with a small devotional
for each section and when through the life and miracles of Elisha. The
devotional portion was interesting although I disagreed with the main premise
behind the devotionals it was insightful and thought provoking. What struck me
more than anything else while reading through the life of Elisha was how
meaningless it seemed in the grand scheme of things. You have Elisha the shadow
of Elijah who confronted King Ahab multiple times and demonstrated the
greatness of God before the prophets of Baal. He stopped rain on the nation for
3 years as God’s judgment on Israel and at a word made it to rain again, and
doesn't even die he gets taken up in a whirlwind. What could be more amazing
than the life of Elijah?
Enter Elisha. He burns his plows, sacrifices his oxen and
follows after Elijah with a fervent dedication. When asked what he wants he
doesn't hold back and asks for a double portion of the power of Elijah. Who has
the confidence to say I want everything you have plus double because I’ll know
what to do with it? And yet, God gives it to him. You have Elisha, with amazing
power, faith, and dedication. His high school would have voted him most likely
to do something amazing.
As I read through the stories and miracles, of which there
are many, I began to see a pattern. God uses this faithful man not to proclaim
to kingdoms, to bring down kings, to win
mighty battles for the nation of Israel, God uses him in the most unlikely and
strange places. God, through Elisha is gracious to an unnamed man by making his
borrowed ax head float. God ministers to a unnamed widow and her son by
providing them bread and restoring her sons life. Elisha did heal one captain
of an army from a different nation but to no know benefit to anyone but that
captain. Finally God brings another unknown man back to life after touching
Elisha’s bones.
Many would see this life and think, what a waste. Elisha, a
man of great faith with the spirit of 2 Elijah’s and God uses him to show His
love to individuals. Maybe the small things in life are much more important to
God than we can ever dream. Maybe the most powerful, dynamic thing we can do
sometimes is fed someone in need in the name of Jesus. God will raise up
Elijah’s who will perform great and mighty things, but that does not mean they
are any more important than the person who prays for a sick family member and
provides comfort. The small things are just as, if not more important than the
big things.
