Spiritual Companions
2003-05-27 | 12:37 p.m.

This gives me such hope!

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>Spiritual Companions

>

>In a recent series of messages, we considered Elijah as he experienced

>great victory on Mount Carmel but then was overcome with fear and

>loneliness. We saw how God provided comfort first by sending an angel

>and then through the gentle whisper of His presence (1 Kings 19:5-13).

>But Elijah clearly revealed some long term Spiritual needs which could

>not be ignored; "I have been very zealous for the Lord God

>Almighty...{but} I am the only one left" (1 Kings 19:14).

>

>Elijah felt alone in his devotion to God and alone in his ministry.

>This loneliness was effecting his judgement as well as his ability to

>persevere under stress. He needed a Spiritual companion who would

>encourage him and walk by his side; God sent him Elisha; "anoint Elisha

>son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet" (1 Kings

>19:16). Elijah was not being replaced; rather, given the many

>"opportunities" for future discouragement, God provided someone to share

>the burden, provide encouragement, and be trained for future ministry.

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>Elisha was in the field plowing with a team of oxen when Elijah first

>called him to follow. Elisha's response was immediate and decisive, and

>he was devoted to Elijah for the remainder of his ministry.

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>1 Kings 19:21

>"He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing

>equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then

>he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant."

>

>God never intended for us to go into battle alone. While He is always

>at our side, ready to intervene, His Word also directs us to draw upon

>the strength of others; "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is

>called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's

>deceitfulness" (Hebrews 3:13).

>

>Immediately after creating the first man, God said; "It is not good for

>the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). We were created to be people who

>need one another; "Two are better than one...if one falls down, his

>friend can help him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Jesus demonstrated this

>wisdom as He sent messengers to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is

>near; "the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two

>ahead of Him" (Luke 10:1). Difficult tasks require mutual support and

>encouragement.

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>As we travel down God's path, let's listen to His counsel and not walk

>alone. Let's entrust our lives to our Heavenly Father and seek other

>believers who will encourage us to remain in His presence and aligned

>with His perfect will. Let's pray that God would bless us with courage

>and strength...and also with an abundance of committed Spiritual

>companions.

>

>Have a Great Day!

>

>Steve Troxel

>God's Daily Word Ministries

>

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>Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.

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