«Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you?’ » (2 Kings 4:2, NIV).
WHAT FACTORS WERE NEEDED for Elisha to develop such a successful prophetic ministry, in spite of knowing he would have to walk in the shadow of the spiritual giant that Elijah had been?
The first and most obvious thing that can be said about these two heroes of faith is that the prophetic ministry of one of them was radically different than that of the other. Elijah strongly denounced the king’s sins and the people’s idolatry, confronted false prophets, resurrected the dead and made fire descend from heaven. And just as he suddenly appeared at the scene of those events, in the blink of an eye he disappeared in a chariot of fire.
It is true that Elisha also performed powerful signs with God’s power, but his ministry was rather peaceful; it basically consisted in serving the poor and needy: multiplying the widow’s oil; raising the Shunammite woman’s son; healing Naaman’s leprosy; bringing the axe-head that had accidentally fallen into the water back up to the surface . , . If we wanted to summarize his ministry in a few words, it would be: «How can I help you?»15
And now, you tell me: Which of the two ministries do you think was more similar to the Lord Jesus’s ministry while he was among us?
There are at least two precious lessons for us here. The first is that God does not call us to carry out the same ministry. He grants us different talents and abilities, He assigns different tasks and expects us to carry them out faithfully, no matter how small or ordinary they may seem. What would have become of Elisha if, instead of being himself, he had tried to be Elijah’s clone?
The second lesson is that, to be valuable to God, our service does not have to be «spectacular,» or «dramatic.» It is sufficient for it to honor His name. Francis A. Schaeffer makes this point when he asks what those who were blessed by his service would say of Elisha’s ministry: those who drank from Jericho’s healed waters, those who were about to die from the poisoned stew, the mother of the boy who was resurrected, the captain of the Syrian army who was healed from leprosy, the hundreds of men who ate the bread that was multiplied, «and many others would surely have thanked God that there was an Elisha as well as an Elijah.»‘
What ministry do you long to perform for God: a powerful one, like Elijah’s; or a rather peaceful one, like Elisha’s? Here is what I propose: No matter what kind of work God gives you to do, perform it joyfully and for His glory!
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for those who serve among us like Elijah and Elisha. Like them, I also want to serve you with the best of my talents. There is no greater privilege and no greater glory!
#AdultsDevotional
#RadioJovenAdventista
#MeditacionesDiarias
Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
