Where the Action Is

II Kings 2:11-12 says, “…Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it….”

One day I happened along a road and met a man that was hunting with a falcon—not the car, the bird. I had heard of the sport but knew nothing about it. Steve answered the questions I had. “How do you keep the bird from flying away and not coming back?” I asked. “I feed him and spend time with him. I am his total life support.” Another question, “How do you get him to fly away and hunt?” “I weigh him all the time. I know exactly what weight he is when he is hungry. That’s the weight he is right now. That is why he is up there in his natural environment looking for food.” 

I could see the bird flying around not too far away. One more question, “What keeps him near you, instead of flying far away from you?” “Every now and then I throw out a little meat for him to find. He learns that where I am is where the action is.”

When we walk after the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1), we soon learn that is where the action is. Elisha learned to follow close to Elijah, a powerful man of God. Where Elijah was, there were miracles. When God spoke, Elijah was there. How close are we to God? There wasn’t a miracle every day for Elijah (we only know of seven over his whole ministry.) If we walk close to God every day, we will be where the action is.

In II Kings chapter 2, we have a picture of holiness surviving from one generation to the next, from one ministry to the next. It was God’s plan to take Elijah to heaven and have Elisha take his place. When Elijah first met Elisha, he cast his mantle on him (II Kings 19:16-21). In this mantle was the power of God. It is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Elisha immediately became the minister, or servant of Elijah. He saw the Holy Spirit in Elijah. That was a rare thing in that day, and today is not a lot different.

The Spirit-filled days of Elijah were soon to be completed. As Elijah moved toward his last hour on earth, he gave Elisha three chances to opt out of the ministry. The walk after the Holy Spirit is a continual choice. Elijah said to tarry at Gilgal. Elisha could have obeyed and lived happily ever after at Gilgal, with a clear conscience that he had obeyed. Elisha probably remembered when the mantle was cast on him. It felt so good. He wanted that mantle. What good is a ministry without power? “I will not leave thee,” was Elisha’s response. This happened again at Bethel and Jericho.

When they finally reached the moment of departure, Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him. That is when Elisha asked for a double portion of the Holy Ghost. Elijah told him to keep his eyes on him to the last second and he would have his desire. If you want to walk after the Holy Ghost, keep your eyes on Him. Elijah obeyed and received the double portion, for the mantle fell from Elijah to Elisha.

In verses 12 & 13 we see something very important. Before Elisha could receive the Holy Ghost (the mantle), he ripped his own clothes in two pieces. We must die to self for the Holy Ghost to live in us. He didn’t just take off the clothes, he ripped them off. 

How many today will settle for Gilgal, Bethel or Jericho? How many will die to self, ripping our old life away? Help me, Jesus, to do it every day! Join me! Let’s live where the “action” is!