Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you,before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
2 Kings 2:9
There had never been a man like Elijah. He had raised the dead, called down fire from heaven,and revealed God’s plans for a devastating drought. The Israelitesmust have felt certain there would never be another prophet likeElijah, until Elisha came along. Moses was arguably the mightiestleader the Hebrews had ever followed, yet God prepared Joshua toaccomplish what not even Moses had achieved. David’s reign marked ahigh point for the nation of Israel, yet it was Solomon who carriedout the task that was denied his father, by building the spectaculartemple. We can be tempted to put more trust in the leaders God givesus than in God Himself.
History teaches that, as wonderful as thesegodly people are, God always has another Moses, Elijah, or David.Often the successor will come with a double portion of theirpredecessors’ spirits. God has limitless ways to accomplish His will.The same God who led Moses could also use Joshua. If no one werewilling to serve Him, the Lord would accomplish His work by His owndivine power. We are not irreplaceable to the Lord. He will achieveHis purposes. The question is this: Will we be a part of God’sactivity, or will He find someone else? We deceive ourselves if wethink we are indispensable to God. Service to the Lord is an honor Hebestows on us, not a favor we do for Him. If you are mourning the lossof one of your leaders, do not despair. God has another leader, for Hewill see that His will is carried out. It may even be that He has beenpreparing you to be that leader.
