Rocket Man and 2.0 ∙∙

Rocket Man and 2.0 ∙∙

You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives so that you may spend it on your pleasures. – James 4:2-3

2 Kings 2:9-15

 9 When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”

 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”

 11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly, a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and a whirlwind carried Elijah into heaven.

 12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress.

 13 Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then, Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River.

 14 He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.

 15 When the group of prophets from Jericho saw from a distance what happened, they exclaimed, “Elijah’s spirit rests upon Elisha!”

There is a dreaded encounter that many of us have experienced.  We’re in a grocery checkout line when we see the all-too-familiar scene: a frazzled mother trying to manage her unruly, stubborn, spoiled, strong-willed two-year-old. The mom is feverishly at work, attempting to perform damage control. She’s desperately trying to keep things under control, but the child is running amok – grabbing at items, making demands, and throwing tantrums when they don’t get their way.

Sad to say, as children of the King, we too often act like spoiled spiritual children as well.

We ask and do not receive because we ask with the wrong intentions, driven by our own desires. Our selfishness and craving for self-satisfaction blind us, pushing us to want more and more. We want stuff! Only concerned with immediate gratification and short-term benefits. We are myopic, but our Father is not. He hears our prayers, but He also understands the motives behind them.

We could label the first type of prayer as Prayer 1.0, which is primarily concerned with satisfying self-centered desires. The Greek term translating to passions or pleasures is hedone, which implies pleasure, gratification, and delight. In the New Testament, it refers to physical pleasure and is metaphorically used for desire, appetite, and lust. The English term hedonist has its roots in this word.

In contrast, Prayer 2.0 is quite different. Taking a different approach. It is God-centered.  It seeks to honor the Father and advance His kingdom purposes. The Apostle John assumes we intend to please the Father rather than ourselves.

1 John 5:14-15

 14 And this is our confidence before him: whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

 15 And if we know that he hears us regarding whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests we have asked from him.

REFLECT & PRAY

Too often, we are spoiled spiritual two-year-olds. We need to come to grips with this and grow up.

Father when I search my heart, I find a great deal of self-interest. Indeed, I am self-centric. Encourage me to become God-centric and to seek Your kingdom above all else.

INSIGHT

When seeking to do the will of God, do not be afraid to ask for great things! The Father can do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Take the example of Elisha. He had been a PIT, Prophet In Training. Elijah had been Elisha’s spiritual mentor and father (2 Kings 2:12).

Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit might seem strange or even egoistic to us. However, in their cultural context, Elisha requested what the eldest son would usually expect from a father in Israel: a double portion of the inheritance.

Elisha was the Father’s choice as Elijah’s successor. Elisha had his sights set on being a devoted and successful servant of the Father. He aspired to be a powerful and effective prophet of the living God. Despite the great challenges and arduous path ahead, Elisha craved to be fully prepared for the mission God had entrusted him with.

The double portion that Elisha asked for was a plea for an extra measure of the Father’s blessings and favor on his life. This gift was beyond Elijah’s authority to grant. Elijah could not promise this double portion because it was the Father’s prerogative alone to bestow the blessing of His Spirit.

A double portion of the spirit of Elijah was precisely what the Father intended to give to Elisha. Elisha’s God-centric desire was heard and granted. He continued the work that Elijah had begun.

Luke 11:13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Elijah is taken to heaven in a fiery chariot, becoming the first rocket man. Elisha’s crucial request was granted, and he became Elijah’s successor, or Elijah 2.0, if you will.

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© Dr. H 2024