Elisha knew how to pray. He asked for something for himself. He asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Essentially he was asking for a double portion of the spirit of God.
He had walked with Elijah as his servant, assistant, protege. He had seen the miracles Elijah had done. He had witnessed the power of God close up and personal.
Being near the power of God is a heady experience. There is a realization of the awesomeness of our God, a sense of the puniness of the self, a wonder at the privilege of simply being an observer.
Have you ever been on a plane? There is a little ritual about the emergency procedures that every flight attendant recites. If the cabin loses pressure, oxygen masks will descend from the compartments above each seat. Adults with children are cautioned to apply their masks to themselves first, before applying the masks to the children.
There is a reason. If the parent has no oxygen and passes out, there will be no one to help the child. It's the same in the service of the Lord.
We've known godly men and women who burnt themselves out because they focused on what they could do for others and neglected their relationship with God. When Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, he was not being selfish. He knew that only with a double portion of that spirit could he do those things which God had in mind.
What does God have in mind for you? And do you have a sufficient portion of His spirit living within you to accomplish His purposes?
Father, God,
Help us to prioritize our requests. Show us what we need to have to accomplish Your plans in our lives. Keep us ever faithful to Your vision.
In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.
Amen.
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