Scripture Reference 2 Kings 2 : 13-14

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.

By faith Elisha witnessed the miraculous translation of Elijah from this realm to the next. This was not something just anybody could have witnessed, it was a revelation that God permitted Elisha to witness and Elisha’s persistent faith was without question a prerequisite. Remember that Elijah conditioned Elisha receiving the gift he so tenaciously requested on the premise that he was able to see his translation. 

Two things were at work here, 1. Elisha had to be willing to ask for this incredible gift. 2. Elisha’s faith had to be acceptable to God in order for him to in fact see Elijah’s departure and to receive the gift he sought! Paul wrote in Eph. 3: ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Luke wrote in Acts concerning the healing of the lame beggar these words from Peter, 3: ¹⁶ By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” 

Faith is the currency God has given to us by which we appropriate His miraculous gifts!  God tells us in Heb. 11: ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” James the brother of Jesus also wrote, 5: ¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” 

Elisha received the gift he so boldly sought because of his faith, not because he was some frozen chosen elitist that God happened to select. What I am saying is that you and I have no excuse!  You cannot say, “I am not Elisha!”  That argument is moot! That fact has nothing to do with anything.  You are God’s chosen right now! God rewards those who earnestly seek Him! To be in earnest is to be of intense conviction! Half-heartedness, flippant prayers, momentary cries for intervention based solely on the situation and lacking any semblance of persistence in faith will never do! David boldly took on the giant Goliath not in a moment of passion but as a consequence of walking daily with God, having experienced over and over again God’s deliverance first hand in battle with opponents far stronger and more fierce than himself, 1 Sam. 17:34-37!

When Elisha returned from his incredible experience he came to the Jordan, the same Jordan Elijah had crossed having parted the water by faith. Note right here how the disciple copied his master by taking the cloak of Elijah and striking the water with it! Elisha asked, “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Elisha does not ask in doubt, he asks in faith!  He does not enquire of Elijah, instead he enquired of God! Elisha had sought a double portion of Elijah’s spirit and having heard the promise and witnessed the revelation, he then enquires of God to do for him just as He had done for Elijah! That required faith! Church, the God of Elijah is our God! He is the same yesterday, today and forever! Doubt not that God is with you even as He was with Elijah! In fact you have a greater revelation than Elijah had through faith Jesus Christ! God divided the waters for Elijah and then God divided the waters for Elisha! This miracle was not a thing of the past to be left there, it had meaning and application/relevance for the new generation of believer! That is you! You are the new generation and the gifts and power of God are for you! Today!