Loyalty

 

    What does loyalty mean to you?  For me it is having people there for me when I really need them.  We don't have to agree on everything, but their actions display love and respect.  Sometimes loyalty requires sacrifice, but it always has healthy boundaries.  It is a characteristic that adds to another person's life instead of sucking the life out of the person. Loyalty is recognized in devotion, steadfast behavior, being consistent, faithfulness, and upholding alliances.

    Elisha was loyal to Elijah until the very end.  They both knew that one day that Elijah would be taken away in a whirlwind, but only Elijah knew when.  The day it happened was like any other day.  Even though they were both prepared, it was unexpected.  There was a crowd of 50 prophets that Elijah him because where he was, so was the presence of God.  When you are in God's presence, it is known.

    When the small group reached the Jordan River, they all stopped when Elijah divided the water with his cloak.  This is the third time in history that water divided to allow people to pass.  It makes me believe that it is still possible if a person has enough faith.  

    Elisha is the only person that crossed the river with Elijah.  They walked together as old friends enjoying each other's company.  Suddenly appeared a chariot of fire that was led by horses of flame.  The chariot divided Elijah and Elisha.  Elijah boarded the chariot without being harmed and in a whirlwind went up to heaven.  He was the first person to ever leave this world without dying first.

    Elisha was left standing there in awe and a bit of sadness because he lost his mentor and friend.  He was left behind.  He picked up Elijah's cloak and returned to the Jordan River.  He used the cloak to return the same way Elijah had to cross.  The prophets were upset that Elisha returned with out Elijah, so they went looking for him for three days.  

    Elijah had asked Elisha what he would want in life before he was taken.  Elisha asked to receive twice as much of the Holy Spirit than Elijah had.   God gave him his wish after Elijah was gone because he was faithful to Him and was loyal to Elijah.  He never tried to take the prophet's place, but when Elijah was gone, it was time for him to step up and he did.

    God used Elisha to do all kinds of good in the world.  His first miracle without Elijah was healing bad water, so the the people and the land could thrive.  As Elisha got older he became bald.  When some teens made fun of him, he cursed them.  Later 42 teens were mauled by two female bears and Elisha returned to Samaria.  He was powerful because of the Holy Spirit.   Power can be used to make life better or to destroy it.  Elisha tried to always do good.

2 Kings 2