Elisha is a mighty prophet of God. He fulfilled the purpose of God in his life, right from the beginning of his calling to the end of his life; there are so many things for us to learn from his life. He is a man of faith, courage, and fear of the Lord upon him. He was filled with the demonstration of the power and glory of God revealed through his life.
These are some life lessons that we can learn from his life.
1. Elisha Responded And Surrendered To The Call Of God
Elisha surrendered to the call of God through the prophet Elijah without contemplating what would course him. He was a man from a prominent family with lots of Prospects of inheritance, considering material Wealth. The love bond relationship with his family could have made it difficult for him to leave them. However, He left his position as a hair of his family to assume the position of servitude to fulfill the purpose of God in his life.
1 Kings 19:19-21 19 So he departed thence and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yokes of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
And he left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?
And he returned from him, took a yoke of oxen, slew them, boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
Likewise, we should trust in the Lord and surrender to His will and purpose for our lives because with Him in our lives, we will not fail, and things will work out together for our good because He loves us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6, NIV)
2. Be A Man Of Faith And Determination.
Elisha was determined to accomplish the purpose of God in his life. His relentlessness earned him the mantle of leadership and the spirit of God upon him. He was obedient to God and his master and was committed to working with him till the end of his life.
Even when Elijah was going through a difficult journey in his life, Elisha did not leave him. He continued to identify with him because he knew God’s favor was with him. 1 King 20:22 & 26; 22:1 & 51)
Through the spirit of discernment, Elisha understood the time of his visitation from God and was determined not to allow anything to stop him from receiving the mantle of the Lord; even the voice of his master could not stop him. Although Elijah’s voice was a test and not a command.
That Elijah was pleased by Elisha’s refusal to remain behind is quite clear. He presses on, sees his master taken up to heaven, obtains the coveted mantle of power, and accomplishes twice as much as his master did.
“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways.” Prov. 23:26
3. Miracles Through The Authority Of God’s Word
Through the authority of God’s word, Elisha performed multiple miracles that touched the lives of people and nations. Some of the tremendous things he did were during the rain of King Jehoshaphat.
The king of Judah, the king of Israel, and the king of Edom join together to war on their common enemy, Moab, but disaster strikes on the journey south because of lack of water. Faithful Jehosphaphat suggests that they should seek the help of the Lord through one of His prophets.
Elisha prayed and received a prophetic word from God: “Make this valley full of ditches… You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you… will drink” (2 Kings 3 vs. 16-17 NIV). The next morning the prophecy is fulfilled.
It is a blessing to be favored with the company of those who have power with God and know how to engage in prevailing prayer. It is a pity that many of the governments and rulers of our day fail to understand this, for a nation may be significantly upheld by the fervent prayers of those who live under God’s authority.
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