Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 2:1-14.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 2 Kings 2 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“And it came about when the LORD was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.  Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here please, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.”  But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”  So they went down to Bethel.  …

…

When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.”  And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”  He said, “You have asked a hard thing.  Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you;  but if not, it shall not be so.”  As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them.  And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.  Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”  And he saw Elijah no more.  Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.  He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.  He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”  And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there;  and Elisha crossed over.”  2 Kings 2:1-2 and 9-14.

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The question of Elisha (“Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”) in today’s Scripture is in sharp contrast to the quest of Ahaziah in the prior chapter (“And Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber which was in Samaria, and became ill.  So he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this sickness.” 2 Kings 1:2.)   

When we hear preaching or teaching, do we ask “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” in that preaching or teaching?

Or, are we on some quest to find out in that preaching or teaching what we should do?

More generally, when we live out our lives, do we ask “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” and “What has the LORD done?”

Or, are we on some quest, focused on ourselves and our own works?  

Notice in the following Scripture the sharp contrast between the focus of the Jews and what they asked compared to the focus of Jesus and what He pointed out is the work of God.

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:28-29.

Other preaching and teaching of other doctrine is like the focus of the Jews.  “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”

But, the preaching and teaching of Reformed Doctrine continually asks the questions:  “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” and “What is the LORD doing?”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”  Ephesians 1:3-11. 

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.