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Remembering Elijah and The Way from Glory to Glory.

2 Kings 2:9–12 (NIV)

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.

“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.”

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. 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.

CONSIDER THIS

ME: THIS IS THE WAY—
YOU: FROM GLORY TO GLORY!

We could not end a series on Elijah’s journey from glory to glory without beholding its glorious end. The glory began in obscurity with this man from Tishbe whom God made his prophet to the wicked King Ahab. Glory! Remember the announcement of the punishing drought. Glory! Remember Elijah’s instructions to flee to the uber-remote Kerith Ravine and hide where he would be fed by ravens and watered by a brook . . . until the brook dried up. Glory! Remember his next stop—the home of the widow in Zarephath. As he met her she was preparing to make her last meal for she and her son and then to die. Glory! Remember the miraculous provision of bread and oil—which began as enough for one last meal and persisted for three and a half years until the rains came. Glory! Remember Elijah raising her dead son back to life. Glory!

Remember the cataclysmic showdown on Mt. Carmel, not between Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal, but between the one true and living God of heaven and earth and the god who was no god at all, Baal—the so called god of rain and fertility. Glory! Remember the lone form of Elijah bending low to the ground to repair the altar of the Lord, and laying the wood, and cutting up the bull, and digging the trench and pouring and pouring and pouring the precious water over the dead bull and the dry wood. Glory! Remember Elijah’s simple prayer, in contrast to the spirited antics of the prophets of Baal. Glory! Remember the falling fire from heaven. Glory! Remember the response of the people, their bodies prostrate and their faces to the ground:

The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God! (1 Kings 18:39) Glory!

Remember how Elijah reported by faith to Ahab the sound of a heavy rain, when there was not a cloud in the sky. Glory! Remember the seven times Elijah sent the servant up Mt. Carmel to search the horizon for any sign of rain—seven times. Glory! Remember how on the seventh trip, the servant reported a cloud the size of a man’s fist. Glory! Remember the skies opening and releasing their rain at the word of the Lord. Glory! Remember Elijah tucking his cloak in his belt and outrunning Ahab’s chariot all the way back to Jezreel. Glory! Remember the death hit Queen Jezebel put out on Elijah, making him public enemy #1 despite his obedience to God; or perhaps because of it. Glory! Remember Elijah fleeing in desperation and taking the day’s journey alone into the wilderness to sit under the broom bush and pray to die. Glory! Remember the angelic visit, not once but twice, awakening Elijah from his despairing slumber with food for the journey ahead. Glory! Remember the uncommissioned journey of forty days and forty nights to Mt. Sinai for an invited meeting with God. Glory! 

Remember the piercing twice repeated query of the Lord, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” Glory! Remember Elijah’s non answer—”I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty . . . I am the only one left.” Glory! Remember the grace of God’s response, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Glory! Remember the wind and the earthquake and the fire, and yet the Lord God came with the whisper. Glory! Remember Elijah’s release from duty and preparation for the finale. Glory!

And finally, Elijah literally goes out in a blaze of glory, carried to heaven in a chariot of fire led by flaming horses. Glory!

Remember all the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the giving up and the pressing on, the hard pressed on every side realities, the perplexing conundrums, the withering persecution, the struck down disappointments, the dire resignation leading to the altar of relinquishment. Not crushed! Not despairing! Not abandoned! Not destroyed! Not today Satan! Glory!

Indeed, one last time: This is the way—from glory to glory.

THE PRAYER

Abba Father, thank you for Elijah who points the way to this life long way with Jesus; this journey from glory to glory.  Thank you that when there is nothing left to say we can sing. Thank you for your dear daughter, Fanny Crosby, who penned the glorious hymn we sing now:

All the way my Savior leads me–
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me–
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for ev’ry trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me–
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

Praying in Jesus’ name, amen. 

THE QUESTION

What glory to glory revelations did you perceive and experience along this way from glory to glory? What do you take with you? 

P.S. Speaking of Hymns . . . 

I’ve got a BIG SURPRISE for you. Seedbed is publishing its first ever hymnal. “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” is #150. I’m not bragging but it is going to be the best hymnal in over a century. Check it out here.

And as noted, Monday we will begin a ten-day series of Daily Text greatest hits to celebrate the close of the Daily Text and prepare for the launch of the Wake-Up Call. The Wake-Up Call begins officially on Monday, October 3, with a two month series: The Harvest of the Kingdom is the Fruit of the Spirit. 

For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com

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WHAT IS THIS? Wake-Up Call is a daily encouragement to shake off the slumber of our busy lives and turn our eyes toward Jesus. Each morning our community gathers around a Scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and a few short questions, inviting us to reorient our lives around the love of Jesus that transforms our hearts, homes, churches, and cities.

Comments and Discussion

One Response

  1. I woke up with these thoughts on my mind this morning: Every moment is a treasure but most pass by unnoticed. Be a Spirit-drifter. Let go and flow with “Christ in you.” To drift with God’s Spirit is to soak in His glory.

    Then I got goose bumps as I read Elijah’s mosaic of glory. Thank you, J.D., for keeping your heart open to and humble before God and for sharing the revelation He is giving you day by day.

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