Call of Elisha
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The call to place all on the altar of service comes to each one. We
are not all asked to serve as Elisha served, nor are we all bidden to
sell everything we have; but God asks us to give His service the first
place in our lives, to allow no day to pass without doing something
to advance His work in the earth. He does not expect from all the
same kind of service. One may be called to ministry in a foreign
land; another may be asked to give of his means for the support of
gospel work. God accepts the offering of each. It is the consecration
of the life and all its interests, that is necessary. Those who make this
consecration will hear and obey the call of Heaven.
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To everyone who becomes a partaker of His grace, the Lord ap-
points a work for others. Individually we are to stand in our lot, saying,
“Here am I; send me.” Whether a man be a minister of the Word or
a physician, whether he be merchant or farmer, professional man or
mechanic, the responsibility rests upon him. It is his work to reveal
to others the gospel of their salvation. Every enterprise in which he
engages should be a means to this end.
It was no great work that was at first required of Elisha; common-
place duties still constituted his discipline. He is spoken of as pouring
water on the hands of Elijah, his master. He was willing to do anything
that the Lord directed, and at every step he learned lessons of humil-
ity and service. As the prophet’s personal attendant, he continued to
prove faithful in little things, while with daily strengthening purpose
he devoted himself to the mission appointed him by God.
Elisha’s life after uniting with Elijah was not without temptations.
Trials he had in abundance; but in every emergency he relied on God.
He was tempted to think of the home that he had left, but to this
temptation he gave no heed. Having put his hand to the plow, he was
resolved not to turn back, and through test and trial he proved true to
his trust.
Ministry comprehends far more than preaching the word. It means
training young men as Elijah trained Elisha, taking them from their
ordinary duties, and giving them responsibilities to bear in God’s
work—small responsibilities at first, and larger ones as they gain
strength and experience. There are in the ministry men of faith and
prayer, men who can say, “That which was from the beginning, which
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we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have
looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; ... that