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Elisha Called to Succeed Elijah
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Elisha accepted the call, casting no backward glance at the plea-
sures and comforts he was leaving. In contrast, the young ruler
“went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Verse 22
. His
love for his possessions was greater than his love for God. He proved
himself unworthy of a place in the Master’s service.
Not all of us are asked to serve as Elisha served, nor to sell
everything we have; but God asks us to give His service first place
in our lives, to allow no day to pass without doing something to
advance His work. One person may be called to a foreign land,
another to give money to support gospel work. God accepts the
offering of each. What is necessary is to consecrate the life and all
its interests.
To everyone who experiences His grace, the Lord appoints a
work for others. We are to say, “Here am I! Send me.” See
Isaiah
6:8
. Whether we serve as ministers of the Word, as physicians,
merchants, farmers, professional people, or mechanics, it is our
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work to reveal the gospel to others.
No great work was required of Elisha at first. He is spoken of as
pouring water on the hands of Elijah. He was willing to do anything
the Lord directed, and at every step he continued to prove faithful
in little things. With a dedication that grew stronger every day, he
devoted himself to the mission God had appointed him.
After uniting with Elijah, Elisha was tempted to think of the
home he had left. But he had resolved not to turn back, and through
test and trial he proved true to his trust.
Ministry involves far more than preaching. It means training
young people as Elijah trained Elisha, giving them responsibilities
in God’s work—small at first, larger as they gain strength and ex-
perience. Ministers of faith and prayer can say, “That which was
from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with
our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled,
concerning the Word of life ... we declare to you.”
1 John 1:1-3
.
Young, inexperienced workers should be trained in connection with
experienced servants of God.
God has honored young people by choosing them for His service,
and they should be faithful, obedient, and willing to sacrifice. If they
submit to God’s discipline, choosing His servants as their counselors,