Tuesday 25 September 2012

WANTED: A MAN


READ: EZEKIEL 22:30-31
God used Elijah to perform many miracles. When Elijah’s time on earth was up, God wanted to transfer his anointing to someone else. At the time several sons of the prophets were being trained in Bethel and Jericho. They were all hoping to be used as mightily as Elijah had been used, but none of them were willing to pay the price. Fifty of them made a feeble attempt. “And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.” (2 Kings 2:7).
These 50 men attempted to see Elijah, but they were only prepared to do so from a distance. Do you want to an abundant measure of the Holy Ghost’s anointing? Do you want to be used by God in healing the sick and raising the dead? Are you ready to pay the price? Are you where God is working, or are you viewing what he does from afar? Elisha paid the price. He served Elijah faithfully to the end. Some Christian ministers give up on ministry without completing what they started, or leave the church to start their own ministry. Usually they have many reasons for leaving, and naturally they often say that God has called them, but they do not allow God to each them humility and brokenness.
Elisha served to the end, but he didn’t stop there. He went the extra mile. God sent Elijah to Bethel, Jericho and Jordan, and Elisha followed him without ever turning back. Elisha knew what he was looking for. When he eventually asked God for a double portion anointing, he got it because God saw how earnestly he wanted it. You may ask God for tenfold or even a millionfold anointing of any man of God. The measure you will eventually get will be in accordance with the price you have paid. You cannot get more.
Gehazi only served Elisha up to a point. He could not pay the price, so Elisha took his anointing to the grave rather than transfer it to someone who has not paid the price. Ezekiel 22:30 tells us that – even today – God is still looking for a man or woman to empower so that he or she may perform signs and wonders and become God’s treasurer. Will you be that person? Will you pay the price?   
MEMORIZE: 2 KINGS 2:7 –And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.