Scripture Reference 2 Kings 2 : 9-14

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.

Persevering faith determines to ask large!  Some might think that Elisha was being selfish or even foolishly impulsive by asking such a thing from his mentor, however that is not how Elijah saw it and it certainly is not how God views it. Jesus said, Mark 11: ²² “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ²³ “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’” 

It is not humility that prevents you from asking the impossible from God, it is doubt. Elisha boldly approached the throne of God’s grace as he asked for this gift! Heb. 4: ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” James wrote, 1: ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” 

Elijah said to Elisha “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.” The gift Elisha sought was contingent on whether he was able to see Elijah being taken into heaven! Brother and sister, faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you cannot see, Heb. 11:1!  Faith sees that which is invisible to the eye of flesh! Elisha later again proved his spiritual sight, a gift of persevering faith, when surrounded by the Aramean army, 2 Kings 6:16-17. Remember, Elisha would not be dissuaded from following Elijah no matter what! God rewarded Elisha’s tenacious and persevering faith that held fast and did not shrink back from asking the seemingly impossible! Persevere in faith today! Do not allow doubt to dissuade you from asking large in prayer! God rewards bold faith and gives generously to those who ask of Him!