Ask for a Double Portion

If you ask with a sincere heart and the right motivation for a double portion inheritance to do the work of God, you just might get it. Let the apprentice exceed his master, let our children out-perform us, and may the next generation bring about greater accomplishment for the Kingdom of God than we could ever imagine.

June's Message, Day 22:

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. 2 Kings 2:9-11 NIV

What an amazing scene! Can you imagine seeing your mentor being taken up to heaven (raptured) on a horse-drawn chariot, all ablaze with God's holy fire, in a whirlwind, no less? But Elijah was not the first person raptured up to heaven, as we see in Genesis 5:24 (NIV), "Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." I don't think Enoch's rapture was quite as spectacular as Elijah's, but then again, only God knows.

As Elijah's prophet apprentice, Elisha was not being selfish by asking to inherit a double portion of Elijah's spirit, but with a sincere and properly motivated heart, was just asking for the opportunity to carry on Elijah's prophet ministry for God in a most powerful way. God most certainly granted his request. We often think of Elijah as God's quintessential prophet, and for good reason. He is noteworthy for many miracles, especially calling down fire from heaven to consume the sacrificial offering in the battle with the prophets of Baal, and also the raising of a dead boy to life. But we often overlook the prophet ministry of his apprentice, Elisha, who actually did receive a "double portion" of Elijah's spirit and was able to perform more miracles than his master, including bringing two people back to life. The apprentice outdid his master, with a double portion of his inheritance. So, if you ask for "double" with a sincere heart and motivation to do the work of God, you just might be doubly blessed by God to do just that. Mentors, pray that your young apprentices exceed your expectations and accomplish more than you ever could yourself. Parents, pray that your children receive their "double portion" and reach milestones that you could only dream about. Pray, all of us, that the next generation receives their double portion inheritance and changes this world to a place where God's righteousness reigns.