The Power of Perseverance!

By Helen Jesze, 27^th June 2020

“As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to Heaven in a whirlwind,”

2 Kings 2, 11 NIV

“… because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything,”

James 1, 3 and 4 NIV

Elisha had been the prophet Elijah’s faithful servant, and the final day had come when Elijah was to leave the earth. As they were walking from Gilgal, Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here. The Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha answered,”As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you!” They walked on further until they came to Bethel, and a company of prophets came to speak with Elisha. “Don’t you know the Lord is going to take your master away today?” Elisha answered that he knew, but they weren’t to speak of it. One Bible translation reads, “Be quiet!” meaning “Shut up!”

Elisha had no time for gossip, he was determined and focused on staying as long with his master as he could, and seeing how his beloved master, the Man of God, was going to be taken away!

At Bethel, Elijah tested Elisha again, saying “Stay here, Elisha, the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But Elisha again refused and walked on with Elijah. As they approached Jericho, another band of prophets came out to meet Elisha and asked the same question as the prophets in Bethel. They also received the same answer. Again, Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” Here we see again Elisha’s determination and perseverance as he says he will not stay.

At Jordan, Elijah smites the waters with his mantle and they roll back, and they cross the river on dry ground. Now Elijah turns to his servant and enquires, “Tell me what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” Elisha has his answer ready. It’s been burning in his heart. “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit!”

“You have asked a difficult thing, “Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours – otherwise not.” As they walked on again, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and Elisha saw Elijah being taken up to Heaven by a whirlwind. His mantle or cloak fell from his shoulders and dropped in front of Elisha. The mantle was symbolic of the anointing, power and calling of the Holy Spirit, and the office of the prophet which Elijah had stood in. Elisha tore his own clothes (this was a sign of grief in that culture) and took up the cloak, receiving symbolically and in faith the calling of the Prophet.

Boldly he struck the waters of Jordan, shouting, ”Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?!” and the waters divided right and left, just as they had done for Elijah, and Elisha crossed over.

This is an amazing story! Elisha’s perseverance was highly rewarded! I wonder what would Elisha’s life have been like after Elijah had gone, if he had not been focused and determined to stay with his master till the last minute! In 1 Kings 19, 16, God had told Elijah to go and anoint Elisha to succeed him as a prophet, so this was God’s intention for him. However, Elisha would not have had the same level of anointing he finally received. His burning desire was fulfilled in that he saw Elijah going, and received a double portion of the anointing that had been upon Elijah. Bible scholars are divided about the number of miracles Elijah and Elisha did, some counting also the prophecies that Elijah gave. But all agree that Elisha did exactly double the number that Elijah had done!

Where did Elisha’s desire and perseverance spring from? We are not told, but if his heart had not been right, and had been filled with ambition and pride, I don’t believe God would have granted his request. Every Christian should desire to be used by the Lord. Not many stand in the office of the Prophet, but we can all be used prophetically. What is our attitude towards those who are teaching, mentoring us? Our pastor, other Christians who have been placed in our life? Do we honour and respect them, serve them where we can, or are we hoping they will soon give up their position so that we can take over? !

Love and a burning desire to be used by God to fulfil His purposes in the Earth were the fuel which stoked the perseverance, that Elisha would not give up! Every minute was precious with the Man of God! We notice that Elisha did not bring his request until Elijah asked. Are we giving up too easily? Are we focused or do we constantly allow ourselves to be distracted by people and things, from what the Lord has called us to do?

We may go through times when we feel burnt out, when the Lord tells us to come apart and rest a while, when our “focusing” is not as it was or as it should be. In our own strength we cannot persevere as we should, but this can be brought forth and rooted in our life, and the above Bible verse tells us this. It happens often when we go through trials and difficulties, as we see the faithfulness of our God, a new determination and perseverance forms in us.

Unexpected rewards come to those who follow Elisha’s example!