“And Elijah took his mantle (cloak), and wrapped it together, and struck the waters, and they were divided to the one side and to the other…” 2 Kings 2:8
Dear Ones:
When the children of Israel came to the Red Sea, with Pharaoh in pursuit of them, the Lord told Moses to take his rod, and to stretch out his hand over the sea. It was when he did this that the Lord intervened to provide a path through the sea, by which He would save Israel. The rod that God gave to Moses was a symbol of authority.
Just before Elijah was to be taken up to heaven, he and Elisha were standing on the edge of the Jordan River. Elijah would take his mantle, roll it up, and strike the waters of the Jordan. He did this because the Lord instructed him to do so. The same was true with Moses and the rod. These acts were not good ideas, or hopeful, “inspiring” actions on the part of great men. They were the natural outcome of the true fellowship of God with His servants. In both cases, the rod and the mantle, were symbols of authority, by which, if used according to the will of God, would demonstrate the power of God.
It is one thing to “know” about this power and authority. It is quite another thing to wield it rightly, and well. What does this mean for the believer, the follower of Christ? Is the same authority and power available to him or her, to live victoriously, to love and serve God in a lasting and effective way? The answer is “yes.” But what is necessary for us to know this power and authority in our lives?
The first thing is to have a clear vision, an understanding, of the essence of this power. We have mentioned in past devotionals that Paul declared: “Christ (is) the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:24) Power is a Person, not a thing. To be rightly related to Him, means to be in union with Him. To be born again of the Spirit means to be placed IN Jesus Christ, inseparably one with Him. However, just having this knowledge is NOT enough to KNOW Christ as our power. It was not enough for Moses to have the rod in his possession, or Elijah, to have the mantle. There had to be the USE of the rod and mantle, the gripping of both. One would be lifted up in front of the Red Sea, the other would be gripped and used to strike the waters of the Jordan. Both would have their effect because they were gripped, and used.
What is the Christian’s authority? It is the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the name of Christ resides His perfect power, and faithfulness, to work according to His word. It is as the Christian, in fellowship with God, wields the name of the Lord Jesus, that God’s power and authority is revealed, and manifested. All becomes possible in the experience of the believer when his or her union with Christ is known and grasped, laid hold of, believed in, and lived by.
Dear Father, teach us Thy ways, the ways of the mantle and the rod. Give us a clear and commanding grasp of the power in Christ, which is ours by faith. Strengthen us to not only take the rod and the mantle, but to use the name of Christ according to the will of God, and in a manner worthy of Him, being certain that You will work wonderfully to Thy glory. We thank and praise Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad