cloudsforelishaThis morning I was reading in 2 Kings about Elisha.  It has been a while since I have read about him!

The relationship he had with God really stood out to me!  He was SOOOO in tune with the Holy Spirit and he basically started walking in that role the moment Elijah was taken to heaven.

In 2 Kings 2:19-21 Elisha healed bad water by throwing salt into it.  When the people came to him complaining about the water, he said, “Bring me a bowl.”  Did he have the idea and God honored his plan OR was the Spirit of the Lord whispering into his ear — telling him, “Get a bowl, grab some salt” and throw it into the cursed water?  Do you see what I’m wondering?  Was his relationship with God (due to the mantle he wore) so close that God honored whatever he prayed?  You’ll see why I ask in a moment.

2 Kings 2:23-24
From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!”  He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

Did he ask the Lord if he could curse these boys?  It doesn’t say he did.  Was this story living out the scripture, “Do my prophets no harm” from Psalm 105:15?   I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to hurt someone like that in my anger.  Can you imagine the responsibility?

In chapter 4 the widow of one of the prophets that accompanied Elisha came to him because a creditor wanted to take her sons as slaves.   Elisha told her to gather jars and fill them with the one thing she had — oil!  She borrowed and filled enough jars to pay her debts and support her family.   Again, did God tell Elisha to do this or did God honor his idea?  So interesting!

The next testimony is of the Shunammite woman and her son!  If you haven’t read this story, here it is in a nutshell.  She honored Elisha as a man of God.  She and her husband prepared a room for him and allowed him to stay in their home when he was in town.  Because of her generosity, Elisha promised her a son (who was born the next year).   Did God just honor Elisha’s words?  Unfortunately, as time passed the boy began to have headaches and died in his mother’s arms.  She didn’t tell anyone of the death and placed the boy on Elisha’s bed that was on the roof of her house.   She went to find Elisha and this is what he did:

2 Kings 4:32-37
When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch.   He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord.   Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven timesand opened his eyes.

Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.”   She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.

It does appear that when he walked back and forth he was inquiring of the Lord — at least that is what I’m imagining.

I’m just amazed at his life.   I could go on and on with actions that he took through 2 Kings.  If you haven’t read this book in a while, I challenge you to pick up your Bible.

Think of the possibilities for US!  We have the Holy Spirit living within us!   The same God who empowered this prophet is the same God we serve.  If that doesn’t fan the flame within your belly, then I don’t know what will!

What is your heart’s desire?

How do you want God to use you?

We can be just as in tune with the Spirit of the Living God as Elisha.    Are we willing?

This is going to be an exciting season for sure!

Happy Friday everyone!

 

(Photo taken by me.)