Elisha saw the chariots of fire that took Elijah up into heaven. This extremely important event focused all attention on Israel’s future. Elijah, God’s man for the day, was going away. His purpose was fulfilled and his race had been run. He was now to enter into his rewards. But His people would not be without spiritual leadership. Elisha was the new spokesman for God to Israel. Elijah’s mantle along with a “double portion” of Elijah’s power rested upon him to carry on the task God had given him. In the eyes of Israel’s faithful, the future was bright. Elisha, like Elijah, had an inner conviction, a heart fully devoted to serve God.
On March 2, 1984, at a Conservative Political Action Conference, President Ronald Reagan expressed: If you take away the belief in a greater future, you cannot explain America—that we’re a people who believed there was a promised land; we were a people who believed we were chosen by God to create a greater world. …Eric Liddell, Scotland’s Olympic champion runner, said in Chariots of Fire … “So where does the power come from to see the race to its end? From within. God made me for a purpose and I will run for His pleasure.” … If we trust in Him, keep His work, and live our lives for His pleasure, He’ll give us the power we need—power to fight the good fight, to finish the race, and to keep the faith. …We’re restoring our faith in the greatest resource this nation has—the mighty spirit of free people under God.?”
God made each of us for a purpose also. We too were chosen by God to continue the race. The baton has been passed to us, just as Elijah’s baton was passed to Elisha. If we follow Reagan’s advice to “trust in Him, keep His work, and live our lives for His pleasure, He’ll give us the power we need – power to fight the fight, to finish the race…” Just as Elijah did.
Who knows that we too won’t be escorted into the presence of our Lord and Savior on the wings of a chariot of fire!
Chuck
“But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9