By: Lauren Thomas
What is your faith characterized by? The only qualification for salvation is faith in Jesus, but how different one person’s faith can look from another’s faith! What qualifies your faith? Have you ever thought about it?
When I think about the faith I want to have, I think of an Old Testament prophet. His name was Elisha. In 1 Kings 19:19-21 Elisha was called into prophetic ministry, to assist Elijah. While Elijah had been through it (just read 1 Kings 18-19), Elisha was fresh and eager. When Elijah threw his cloak on Elisha, Elisha wholeheartedly said goodbye to his family and former life, in order to pursue God’s call. He literally burned his oxen on the wood of his plows, symbolizing a clean break with his livelihood. Elisha then ran after Elijah in order to assist him. Elisha exemplified passion for following after God and God’s power manifested.
Later, when Elijah’s time was drawing to a close, Elisha requested a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (see 2 Kings 2). Elijah told him that in order for this to take place, Elisha must see him depart. Ironically, previous to Elisha’s request, Elijah had been trying to get rid of Elisha! But Elisha was tenacious. He couldn’t be persuaded to leave. He wouldn’t allow himself to be distracted. He held on. And this was rewarded. After watching Elijah’s miraculous departure from this life, Elisha received a double portion of the power of God that had been manifested in Elijah’s ministry.
That’s the kind of faith I want: to be passionate in following Jesus and to be tenacious in my following after him.
It’s easy to lose passion the longer we stay with one thing. It’s easy to loosen our grip when we get “weary in well-doing” (Galatians 6:9). But when I think of Elisha, I pray for renewed zeal, renewed perseverance.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:12-14 ESV
Which begins with a passionate and tenacious pursuit of God’s presence.
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV
Today, seek the Lord’s presence and pray for passion and tenacity in your faith. And like Elijah, be rewarded by his presence manifesting in your life.
Reflection:
How do you want your faith to be characterized? What element of Elisha’s faith would you want in your own faith? How will you seek the Lord today?
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