2 Kings 2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah?… I. THE GOD OF ELIJAH CALLS HIS SERVANTS TO TASKS IMPOSSIBLE TO UNAIDED HUMAN STRENGTH. God's servants in all ages are called to dare and do the impossible. In the common duties of our life we move constantly in that region. To conquer eight hundred and fifty priests of Baal was great; to conquer eight hundred and fifty thousand sinful influences assailing us week by week is as great. Elijah's energy exhibited the normal state of man's faculties inspired by God. We may share the same strength and achieve heroic things for Christ. The God of Elijah is with us, and will qualify us if we are but entirely consecrated to Him. II. THE GOD OF ELIJAH IS HE WHO MAKES THE OPPOSITES OF LIFE CONSPIRE FOR THE GOOD OF HIS SERVANTS. To the view of a shallow philosophy the universe is made up of opposite and contradictory forces that cannot be reconciled. The faith that declares, "As the Lord liveth before whom I stand," sees in that light the contradictions of life harmonised in the one purpose of infinite goodness. So it was in the life of Elijah. There is the law of heredity, and the law of freedom and spontaneity. Faith unites and utilises both in the production of a new and original character. There is alternation in Providence. The years of plenty are followed by years of famine. Faith draws from each special benefit. Prosperity nurtured his inner life. Famine gave him his opportunity to drive home his lessons. John Bright and the Irish Famine in Free Trade Agitation. The faithless and faithful in society. The storm and the "still small voice." His historic career, — his posthumous influence. Faith united all these facts, and made them tributary to his work. III. THE GOD OF ELIJAH REQUIRES US TO LIMIT AND SUPPRESS ALL THAT MAY HINDER OUR ONE LIFE-PURPOSE. He was not aesthetic, but he won on Carmel. IV. IN THE GOD OF ELIJAH WE SEE REVEALED THE LIMITLESS PORTION OF THE GOOD. He satisfied Elijah. Surely He will suffice for us! V. THE GOD OF ELIJAH IS THE STRENGTH OF THE HUMBLER PROPHET. VI. THE GOD OF ELIJAH LOVES TO HAVE HIS GOODNESS, WISDOM, POWER, MIRRORED IN HIS SERVANTS' LIVES. Our knowledge is to reflect His thought, our benevolence His love, our strength His might. At the beginning of all enterprises, in contact with corrupt states of society, when we lament fallen heroes, when we face the difficult, we should catch the spirit of Elisha, and go on from conquering to conquer. (J. Matthews.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. |
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