And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that
Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken
away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of
thy spirit be upon me. –II Kings 2:9 (KJV)
Recently I met a few friends for lunch at a restaurant
that serves breakfast all day. Along with my meal I ordered a
side of fried apples, which are among my favorites from this particular
place. The server brought our food and asked if everything was
all right. When I hesitated, she asked if there was something
wrong. I jokingly said my serving of fried apples looked smaller
than it used to be, which was understandable with the increase in food
prices. I then told her not to worry about it. A few minutes
later, she re-appeared with another order of fried apples – on the
house. I tried to refuse them, but she insisted. “Praise
the Lord,” I thought. “I have received the double portion.”
The Bible describes in II Kings 9 how Elijah the
prophet was preparing himself for the end of his ministry when his protégé,
the prophet Elisha, asked a favor. The younger prophet requested
that once the elder prophet was gone he receive a double portion of
God’s Spirit. Elijah said in verse 10 that this was a difficult
request, yet if the younger prophet witnessed him being taken by God
to heaven then it would be done. What impresses me about this
passage in the Bible was Elisha’s boldness in asking for double of
God’s Spirit. He could have received half the prophet’s spiritual
power and this would have been sufficient. Yet, he asked for more.
Perhaps we do well to consider our attitude when
asking the Lord for spiritual wisdom and guidance. So often we
settle for a touch of God’s spirit when the Lord is willing to give
us much more. Many believers wander about in their own meager
strength when the blessed power of God is available through faith.
However, faith which brings the double portion of God’s power is faith
not contented with just going through the motions. Instead, this
is bold, vibrant, and dynamic faith which comes about through daily
taking up the cross of Christ and submitting to God’s will.
I confess there have been times I have wandered through my day worried,
fearful, and in near agony over the difficulties I was facing.
All the while God was standing ready to provide a double portion of
His strength and spiritual power. Yet, I failed to ask.
Christ calls us to walk forward in faith, not fear.
The high call of God in Jesus Christ is one of victory, not defeat.
We may have lost battles along the way, but in Christ we win the war.
Personally, I have had enough of half-hearted prayers and milksop faith.
No longer will I skim the surface of my relationship with the Lord.
Let us take to heart what the Bible says in Hebrews 4:16 where God challenges
us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.”
Are you struggling in your walk with Christ?
Ask God for a double portion of His power. Ask boldly, in faith,
and do not be afraid.
God bless you today.
