I Will Never Leave You!

September 17, 2021

Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel." ~II Kings 2:2~

Elijah was coming up to the point of his departure from earth and Elisha had been his right hand man for quite some time. Not only was this a friendship but it was a partnership that was taken very seriously. Elijah seemed to be putting Elisha to the test as he instructed him in each place they stopped to "stay." We know God puts people together for a reason. Sending them out in pairs to do His work, He provides a way that we always have our back covered. "And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits." (Mark 6:7)

Physically backed as Elijah had Elisha and spiritually backed as Elijah had God and His angels. The Lord takes protecting His children very seriously. The question for Elisha and us is; "are we taking it just as seriously?" Elisha refused to leave Elijah's side no matter where they went, he was going to go. Who is your partner given to you by the Lord Jesus? Perhaps it is your spouse or perhaps it is your ministry team mate. Maybe it is both. The Lord plants people into our lives on purpose, this is a beautiful thing to have people who refuse to leave our sides. "If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ." (II Corinthians 8:23)

While each of us may have different physical beings to confide and work with, each of us have One in common. We all have Jesus Christ backing us. He is both our physical and spiritual back up! Just as Elisha refused to leave Elijah's side, are we refusing to leave Jesus' side? Are we taking our partnership with God very seriously? We all know tests will come for the Lord to see just how much we love Him and will stay on His path. Our answer should always be the same as Elisha's was; "As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!" Whoever the Lord has gifted us to be with on earth, let us show them everlasting love and commitment to fulfill God's plan. All too often we can get distracted by things and places of this world and leave those who God put us with behind. We must be careful.

As we follow Jesus, fishing men, teaching the gospel and laying hands to pray; let us refuse to turn back, stay where we are or stop all together. Let us tell Jesus each day for as He lives we will never leave Him. Two by two He sends us out and when we seem to feel as though we are physically alone for the moment, we are not. Jesus is always right there with us; "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:20)

Because Elisha chose the right move, he was able to watch Elijah be taken up in a whirlwind and gifted with Elijah's spirit; "Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him." (II Kings 2:15)

Elijah was no longer there physically but spiritually he became one in spirit with Elisha. Sound familiar?

"But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." (I Corinthians 6:17)

It is impossible for us to ever be left alone. We can appreciate those of whom the Lord placed in our lives and know that as we go out to do the Lord's work we will never be doing it alone. For it is not by our own might but by Holy Spirit power alone. Elijah left, Elisha continued the work of the Lord and it was because he refused to leave his side. If we turn our backs, we will lose out on such blessings. Lets refuse to ever leave those we are meant to be beside, including our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

Gracious Lord, thank you for never leaving my side and for partnering with me each day. For I say Lord, as you live I will never leave you! I want to focus on You each day first. Thank you for the ones You have put into my life physically as family and partners to fulfill the works of God. Use us as You used Elijah and Elisha, we want more. Let nothing come between us and let others see the love in us coming only from You. Let us bring glory to Your Name always and be a shining light to those living in darkness. May praise be given to You of all that has breath. I am because You Are. Holy is the Name of the Lord of Hosts, who never leaves me and I never want to leave, Jesus Christ. Amen.