Today's daily devotion

Alone?

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.—2 KINGS 2:14 KJV

For years, Elisha devoted time and energy to Elijah the prophet. He dreaded the end of his master’s ministry. When the “sons of the prophets,” Elijah’s disciples, predicted his exit, Elisha refused to listen. When Elijah himself tried to take leave of his aide, Elisha said, “No way.”

He watched miracles he did not want to see. First, Elijah parted the Jordan River with a slap of his mantle. Then a chariot of fire carried Elijah to heaven. Elisha could only cry, “My father! My father!” (2 Kings 2:12 KJV) and tear his clothes in grief. His future loomed empty and sad without his mentor and friend.

But Elisha had asked for a double inheritance from his spiritual father, a twofold portion of God’s Spirit. So when Elisha slapped the Jordan with his mentor’s mantle and yelled, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” (2 Kings 2:14 KJV), the Lord parted the river again.

When we have devoted our lives to loved ones—especially those who nurtured us spiritually—we may find it difficult to go on without them. But God is still there, ready to empower us with His love so we can accomplish His purposes.