Elijah Part 6 - 1 Kings 19:15-21

Elijah was "the one who came before," like John the Baptist. God even told him to appoint a new prophet to take his place. Our own effort is only a small part of the bigger picture. Every generation is tempted to think they're THE generation... humanity has finally arrived! No. We are all forerunners to those who will come after us! Elijah's job is to anoint those who will be there when he's gone.

Our feelings are real, but not always true. Elijah isn't the only prophet left, despite how he's feeling. Just because we feel strongly about something doesn't mean we're right. One of the chief ministries of the Holy Spirit is to correct us! So stay in the Word constantly, and know that even when we're not feeling it, God is still at work.

Elijah gives Elisha his mantle, his office of prophet. Elisha is marked by holy poverty: called out of a life of abundance, and he burns it all to the ground, leaves it behind. He shows he will NOT go back to his old life. Elijah allowed Elisha to say goodbye to his family first because Elisha burned down the farm showing he'll never return. We too must be all in! Burn the boats, kill the oxen, drop the nets! Be all in!

God does indeed call us out of our old life, but he also calls us to use the things of our old life for the Kingdom. Use the gifts he's given you!