“Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” 2 Kings 2:14
Dear Ones:
There is a real problem with a life of faith, and it has to do with our “understanding,” or lack thereof. When Job had lost everything, I am sure that there came a day when he wondered if indeed, God had forsaken him, left him. When Mary and Martha had lost their brother Lazarus who had died, both sisters, in seeking Jesus again said the same thing, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (Jn. 11:21, 32) When Gideon was confronted by an angel of the Lord, declaring that the Lord was with him, and that he was a “mighty man of valor,” his first reaction was to ask the question: “Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, WHY then is all this befallen us? And where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of?” (Judges 6:13) There is a cord of meaning running throughout all of these illustrations, and so many more. It is the cord of the knowledge of God’s methods of dealing with men, specifically believers. In this knowledge is revealed God’s objective, and means by which He will realize that objective. God is determined to make of those He loves, men and women of faith, who trust Him implicitly, and entirely, even during moments of greatest loss, and “insurmountable” difficulty and trial. What is the ultimate goal of such a heavenly endeavor? For Martha, it was plainly declared by Jesus: “If you believe, you would see the GLORY of God.” His goal is to reveal Himself, and this, in a manner that is unmistakable, where men will declare that He IS God. For Gideon it was the same, for the Lord’s dealings with him were aimed at reducing his armed forces, to face a foe very many times their size, so that all would KNOW that He is God. Elisha, at the departure of Elijah into heaven, would be faced with the same issue, that of the revelation of the glory of God. After the vision of the chariot of fire, and Elijah being swept up into heaven, Elisha will never be the same. His faith is such that He knows that God will continue to intervene for the one who truly trusts Him, hence, he comes to the Jordan river, and with the mantle of Elijah, strikes the waters, while asking the question: “Where is the God of Elijah?” (2 Kings 2:14) God would, as He did for Elijah, reveal the glory of God in the parting of the waters of the Jordan. This is evidenced by the “sons of the prophets” who witnessed the sight, for they would testify: “The Spirit of Elijah does rest on Elisha.” God revealed His glory.
What are the lessons of faith with regard to the testimony of these mentioned, and so many who have lived and believed since their day? Essential to the true exercise of faith is the knowledge of the Object of faith. The truth of the magnitude and greatness of His person must be embraced. The God of Job, whom Job finally saw, was the God of Gideon, who needed encouragement along the way to believe in God’s power and greatness. The great God of Elijah was the One who revealed His “other-worldliness,” by sending His chariot of fire to get Elijah. This God, by the revelation of His glory, became the God of Elisha in much the same way. With regard to Mary and Martha, and in response to Martha’s concern for the body of her brother which had been dead for four days, the Lord Jesus would command, and Lazarus would come forth from the tomb. The truth of this Object of faith for each of these individuals, had to be clearly known, and embraced, so that faith would be solidly placed.
What is the expectation of such faith, when all in the life seems to “give way?” It is this: “GOD is our refuge and strength, a very PRESENT help in trouble.” (Ps. 46:1) “God is in the midst of her: she shall NOT be moved.” (v.5)
Dear Father, Be to us all that You desire on this earth, for Thy glory. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Love, Dad