Running with Giants, Week 9: Elisha

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us… Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:7-8 (NIV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV)  Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye," he said, "and then I will come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV) So Elisha left him and went back. 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. 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV) Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV) Faith begins in EVERYDAY FAITHFULNESS. So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair… 1 Kings 19:19 (NIV) Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV) If we can't be faithful with small things, our faith will never rise for the big things. Faith needs RELATIONAL INPUT and OUTPUT. He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 1 Kings 19:14-16 (NIV) Isolated faith can quickly turn into irrational fear. The Lord said to him, "Go back the way you came… 1 Kings 19:14-16 (NIV) …and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 1 Kings 19:14-16 (NIV) …Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 1 Kings 19:19 (NIV) Faith requires RECKLESS ABANDON. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye," he said, "and then I will come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV) So Elisha left him and went back. 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. 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV) Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV) As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Luke 9:57-62 (NIV) He said to another man, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Luke 9:57-62 (NIV) Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:57-62 (NIV)