Let’s learn how to catch a fire through Elisha’s story in the bible as he pursues the double portion of anointing from Elijah the anointed prophet.
But before we talk about Elisha, let me share the biblical meaning of FIRE.
In Acts 2, fire is used to symbolize the very presence of God. Through this passage we see that the fiery tongues were a manifestation of the very presence of the Holy Spirit. As it also mentioned in Hebrews 12:29 – for our “God is a consuming fire.” Being consumed with fire is a process of refining or purging away sin is essential in our lives in order to be in relationship with God, the source of anointing.
Have you ever imagined raw gold on the fire?
[To share a quick link of raw gold processing under fire]
The process might not be easy but pursuing the double portion of anointing requires fire. A fire to protect your anointing, your blessings, your favors, your calling, your purpose, your mission in life – and that is the very presence of God, being consumed by the fire of God).
What does anointing do in your life?
Anointing is the power of God. Anointing is what empowers us to function supernaturally. Anointing is that which enables us to do supernatural things.This will be given to those who have a passion for the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit.
So let’s learn how Elisha pursues to get the double portion of anointing protected by God’s fire, His presence.
Elisha was Elijah the prophet’s follower and successor. Elisha intentionally followed Elijah in his hunger for a double portion of anointing and blessing to fulfil God’s purpose in his life in a supernatural way. Let’s choose this to stoke or excite our hunger as we catch the fire in this session!
Let’s read the scripture about this story…..
In 2 Kings chapter 2, verses 1-7 – The Lord instructed Elijah to go to Bethel, Jericho and last destination was Jordan where the place for Elijah to be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind.
2 Kings 2:8-14 NIV
8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”
11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. 13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
catching fire requires
- Focus mind (v8-v9) – stay focused on your desire.
2 Kings 2:8-14 NIV
8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
In verses 1 to 6 of 2 King chapter 2, Elijah asked Elisha 3x not to follow him anymore yet Elisha has set his mind with conviction to follow his master with a clear goal – to inherit a double portion of anointing from Elijah.
Have you encountered a time where you were discouraged by your parents, your elder siblings, superior at work or mentors with a feeling that you are not qualified enough to gain their giftings, blessings, favors, trusts, loyalty and anointing? Some of you or all of you might give me a “Yes” answer.
For Elisha, he stays focused on his goal and keeps reminding his master that as surely as the Lord lives and as Elijah lives, he will not leave him. Clear enough in verse 9 that his very intention is to get the double portion of Elijah’s spirit same as how he departed the Jordan river.
From now onward, can we have the same mindset as him? Staying focused on your goal and not easily being distracted by the people or circumstances that surround you.
A Focused Mind strengthens a godly goal in life.
So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. – Philippians 3:15-16 MSG
- Immovable heart (v10) – be rooted in faith.
2 Kings 2:10 NIV
10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”
Elija’s statement was quite discouraging to the heart. And I do believe as a human, Elisha’s heart was shaken but there is this word “yet” from Elijah giving an assurance that if he stays immovable in his faith – what he wants, he will surely receive.
There were times we were tested in our faith. And this pandemic really hit many of us in all aspects such as relationships, health, finance, work, spiritual and personal matters. Yet, our faith knowing that God is always and still in control brings us this far right? Yet, our faith knowing that God’s promises are Yes and Amen rooting us to continue to trust and believe in His perfect timing to make them fulfilled.
Same as Elisha, he holds on to that “yet” – an assurance to achieve his goal. He stays rooted in his faith that he will receive what he wants from him – the double portion of his anointing.
How about us? How deep are our roots of faith in our desires? The key to fulfil every desire of our hearts according to God’s will is to take delight in Him.
An Immovable Heart is rested in the deepest root of faith knowing that God fulfils every desire of a heart who takes delight in Him.
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4 NIV
- Relentless spirit (v11-v13) – persistence is the key.
2 Kings 2:11-12 NIV
11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.
13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
In verses 1 to 2 of 2 King chapter 2, Elisha was aware of God’s plan over his master Elijah. That he will be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. His persistence to get what he wants leads him to catch the very tangible presence of God. He knows that God never leaves nor forsakes them throughout their ministry and it is a beyond blessing to see in His own eyes the very presence of God, His Father Almighty God.
He couldn’t help it but called God – “My Father! My Father!” as he cried out.
Despite many reasons for Elisha to stop following Elijah; his relentless spirit brought him to the place of Supernatural Encounter with God!
I am a living proof of this belief: “One Supernatural Encounter with God changes Everything!”
An encounter to be consumed by His fire to contain and protect the double portion of anointing and blessing.
As I’ve shared earlier – The process might not be easy but pursuing the double portion of anointing requires fire. A fire to protect your anointing, your blessings, your favors, your calling, your purpose, your mission in life – and that is the very presence of God.
A relentless spirit leads to a supernatural encounter with God’s consuming fire who humble, refined, mold and transformed us to fulfil a divine mission in life.
“for our “God is a consuming fire.” – Hebrews 12:29 NIV
- Efficacy (v14) – ability to sustain.
efficacy = the ability to produce a desired or intended result.
2 Kings 2:14 NIV
14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
Yes, Elisha was able to do the same miraculous thing as Elijah.
Sharing with you the the list of miracles through Elisha having a double portion of Elijah’s spirit:
Elisha received the double portion of Elijah’s spirit not because of his own ability but because God sustains his ability through his willingness to go through the process before receiving the crown of the double portion of anointing.
“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” – 2 Corinthians 3:5 NIV
It starts from a conviction of his heart knowing that the God he serves is a supernatural God who can do marvelous works.
And his conviction and desire to be Elijah’s successor brought him to the next level of his calling with a double portion of Elijah’s anointing protected by the consuming fire of God.
What sustains your divine calling and purpose?
Efficacy or the ability to achieve a goal is clinging to the truth that only God’s grace sustains every success in life.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV
“…apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 NIV
Summary: Catching Fire requires
Focus Mind – Stay focused to your desire, to your set goal.
Immovable Heart – Be rooted in faith that your desires will be fulfilled as you take delight in the Lord.
Relentless Spirit – Persistence is the key to reaching your goal. It is having a never give up spirit
Efficacy – It is the ability to fulfil your mission in life through the sustaining grace of God.
Jesus modeled them for us: He stayed focused on God’s plan over His life and now we are standing in the right hand of God through the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
And who are Jesus’ successors? The 12 disciples – and you and me.
The question is are you willing to catch the fire and live in God’s consuming fire? If yes – let’s be the unstoppable warrior and worshipper of God who are on fire to spread the Gospel to this dying world and share to others our supernatural experiences with our Almighty God through Christ for their salvation sake and for God’s glory!