A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, April 21

I Kings 19:15-21

The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”

“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.

This passage describes Elijah laying his cloak upon Elisha, who God had chosen to succeed Elijah. I love the fact that here we see God’s will directly played out, through Elijah and Elisha. We are not often allowed to see God’s hand so clearly at work, with narration included! I can’t help but believe that if I were more closely in communication with God through prayer I would recognize more of His will for me. I have been thinking about this a lot lately.

Holy Lord, you have been nudging me lately about my prayer life, and I have noticed. Help me, Lord to find my way. Amen

Becky, transforming