GOD’S HAND IN CALLING US TO SERVE
1 Kings 19:19–21; 2 Kings 2:7–15
A few years ago while I was washing my hands to prepare dinner, I was about to grab a paper towel to dry off. Suddenly, I was looking at my dad’s hands, not my own. I took a quick picture and sent it to my father. He responded by saying, “Those are my hands!” Of course, they were mine, but he and I laughed at how much they resembled his own.
As a follower of Christ, there is no greater experience than serving others as Jesus would. Our hands can either lift the fallen or oppress them. With our hands, we can serve others or harm them.
While the salvation of others is not dependent on us, we do have the wonderful opportunity to be used by God through obedience. In the case of Elisha, we can see what can happen when God is at work through willing hands.
Respond to God’s leadership with all-in obedience. (1 Kings 19:19–21)
The end of Elijah’s ministry was near, and God made it clear a successor was needed. Elijah responded and anointed Elisha as his replacement. The mantle (a robe) was placed on Elisha as an outward sign of God’s calling on his life. Did you know that the opportunities in your life given by God will never be greater than the abilities he has blessed you with?
The key to a productive ministry is dependence. So many today rely on their gifts alone, not on the One who gave them. Elisha left the family business of tending oxen and got to work! Sometimes, we may have to leave things behind to follow God fully.
Boldly ask for God’s presence as you serve. (2 Kings 2:7–11)
When people obey God’s calling on their lives, it does not take long to realize they will need God’s help and abiding presence. Elisha has been shadowing Elijah at this point in Scripture, allowing him to see his example and God’s marvelous works.
These teaching and visual lesson moments for Elisha stoked the fire of his calling and created a desire to know God deeply. Elisha asked for the Spirit of God to be with him as He was with Elijah.
At times, for all of us in ministry, the temptation will arise to serve God or others out of habit or obligation. In those times, we need to take a step back, refocus and recall our essential need for God’s presence each moment of the day. Without it, our ministries and our hearts are cold.
Rely on God’s power to do God’s work. (12–15)
There was no doubt that God was with Elisha and also called him to be His servant. One question remained for Elisha. How could he follow in the footsteps of such a spiritual giant as Elijah? The answer was the power of God. As he relied on God daily, Elisha learned something that came only from personal experience and not in a classroom: God is able and powerful to meet our needs in ways we could never imagine or anticipate.
People who follow God in obedience will see His perpetual involvement in their lives. Over time, if we are faithful and rely on His power, our hands will resemble Christ’s. Our churches, communities and families need us to serve.
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
