By: Pastor Corbett Casteen
What happens when someone asks God for more, more power, more presence, more of Him? There are moments in life where you know something pivotal is happening, where every decision feels weighty, and the spiritual significance of your obedience could ripple into eternity. That’s the kind of moment Elisha found himself in. And if we’re paying attention, we might be in one too. As we launch into a new series on the life of Elisha, we are reminded that this season isn’t just about studying the miracles of an Old Testament prophet, it’s about asking God to move in our lives with the same Spirit, the same power, and the same double portion.
1. Elisha’s Tenacity
“As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” — 2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6
Elisha had every opportunity to turn back. On Elijah’s final day on earth, he told Elisha three times to stay behind. But Elisha refused. He knew what God had called him to, and he wasn’t about to miss what God was going to do next. His tenacity was rooted in his calling. He had already left everything, his family, wealth, and livelihood, when Elijah first placed the mantle on his shoulders. He burned the plow and sacrificed the oxen. There was no going back. I want to follow Jesus with that perspective, that I don’t want to miss anything. Too many of us give up too easily. We follow Jesus until it gets uncomfortable. But what if, like Elisha, we gripped our calling tightly, pursued it persistently, and never looked back?
2. Elisha’s Request
“Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” — 2 Kings 2:9
Of all the things Elisha could have asked for, he didn’t choose wealth or comfort. He wanted power, not for selfish gain, but to carry out God’s mission with greater impact. He asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, the inheritance of a firstborn son in Israel. God’s calling always requires God’s power. If you don’t need His strength, you are likely chasing your own plans. So what would you ask for if you knew God would grant it? Are your deepest prayers for things that are eternal or just temporary?
We often pray for good things, healing, relationships, jobs, but miss the best thing: the power to fulfill God’s purpose. Elisha knew he needed the Spirit of God, not just to get by, but to lead boldly and point others to the Lord.
3. Elisha’s Answer
“Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” — 2 Kings 2:14
When Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind, Elisha saw it happen, just as the condition required. He picked up the fallen mantle, struck the Jordan River, and the waters parted. The proof? The Spirit of Elijah now rested on Elisha. If you’re asking God for more, are you ready to pick up the mantle? God didn’t just give Elisha a title. He gave him authority. Elisha went on to perform twice as many miracles as Elijah. The double portion was real, and it was active.
4. Elisha’s Empowerment
“Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” — 2 Kings 2:21
Elisha’s very first miracle? Heals the waters of Jericho, a land that had been cursed generations earlier. Even in the middle of disobedience, God shows mercy. He uses Elisha to reverse the curse. And just like that, we’re pointed not only to Elisha, but to Jesus. God’s deliverance through the prophet points to the ultimate deliverance in Christ.
Jesus is the true and better Elisha. He didn’t just heal water, He healed hearts. He didn’t just part rivers, He tore the veil. And He didn’t just pass His Spirit to one person; He made it available to all who believe.
Final Challenge: Do You Want More?
This isn’t just a story about Elisha. It’s a call to you.
Do you want to live a Spirit-filled life? Do you want the power of God working through you, not to elevate you, but to point people to Jesus?
You can. It starts with surrender. It continues with obedience. And it thrives with the Holy Spirit’s empowerment.
Don’t let this moment pass you by. Every God moment starts when someone says “yes.”
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