Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 19:19-21; Luke 9:57-62; Psalm 22

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. – 1 Kings 19:13b-16

MINISTRY CAN TAKE A TOLL ON THOSE WHO ARE CALLED.

It is a privilege to live out the call that God has placed on your life, but ministry can be difficult. The mountain top experiences are absolutely wonderful. When the hearts of God’s people are worshiping in full surrender, lost souls are finding new life in Christ, and everyone is singing the praises of the leadership, ministry is life-giving. But with these great moments of affirmation also come the times of questioning and resisting, quarreling and complaining.

But I am a worm and not a man.
I am scorned and despised by all!
Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
“Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
Then let the Lord save him!
If the Lord loves him so much,
let the Lord rescue him!” – Psalm 22:6-8

Leadership can be lonely, and there are times when we wonder if it is worth it. There is an overwhelming feeling that we are alone in our efforts — that no one appreciates our hard work and long hours. It is in these moments when we can begin to feel sorry for ourselves. We consider quitting, or we begin longing for the day when we can retire. We even consider telling God to find someone else to complete the assignment; we find ourselves tired and ready to quit.

GOD UNDERSTOOD WHAT ELIJAH WAS FEELING AND PROVIDED FOR HIM ONCE AGAIN.

Elijah had obediently done everything God had asked him to, and the threats against his life were taking their toll on his emotions. He still trusted God to provide, but he was weary from the battle. So once again God provided for Elijah by giving him an assistant to help him finish out his call. It was time to start training his successor.

So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!”

Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.” – 1 Kings 19:19-20

This passage reminds me of the words of Jesus when he called a man to follow him, and the man’s response was to ask if he could first go home and bury his father. The man was willing to follow God but wanted his obedience to be in the timing that was most convenient for him. Once his father had passed away and his duties were completed, then he would be available to give Jesus as much time as he wanted. Not now; maybe later.

But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”
Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”
But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:60-62

DELAYED OBEDIENCE IS DISOBEDIENCE.

But Elisha’s response was different from this New Testament man. Elisha’s pause was not resisting God’s plan; it was taking the time to dedicate himself fully to the Lord. He was preparing for ministry — putting to death his old life in order to fully embrace the life God was calling him to. Elisha was letting go of what he had been holding onto in order to come to God with empty hands.

So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant. – 1 Kings 19:21

Lord, we come to you this morning with the willingness to fully submit to your call on our life. Give us the strength to let go of anything that is holding us back from living fully focused on you. May we trust you for what the next chapter looks like — whether it’s a necessary ending or a new beginning.

I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.
The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the Lord will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him.
All the families of the nations will bow down before him.
For royal power belongs to the Lord.
He rules all the nations. – Psalm 22:25-28