Thurs.’s Devo - The Next Generation

2 Kings 1:1-2:25; Acts 13:42-14:7; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 17:19-21
Ahab’s son Ahaziah followed him in evil and was injured by falling through the roof of his house. He sent his officers to ask Baal-Zebub if he would recover from his injury. Baal-Zebub means “lord of the fly” and refers to a poisonous fly that bites. God sent Elijah to intercept the messengers and give his message to the king. God’s message was that since he thought he needed to ask a false prophet his future, he would die without recovering.
When Azariah discovered it was Elijah who had prophesied his death, he sent 50 men to bring him back. Elijah called down fire and they were consumed. Another 50 were sent and the same thing happened to them. When another 50 were sent, that officer humbled himself before Elijah calling him a man of God and begging him to spare his life and the life of his men. God told him to go with that man back to the king.
Elijah followed him back to the king and told him face to face what God said. Ahaziah died and his son, Joram succeeded him.
It was time for Elijah to leave and all the prophets knew it including Elisha. Elijah kept trying to get alone so he could leave the earth. Elisha was determined to get a blessing from Elijah and would not leave Elijah’s side. Elijah went to Beth-el, Jericho, and Jordan. Bethel was the place Abraham was called by God to be the Father of many nations. Jericho was the first city Joshua led the people to conquer when they reached the promised land and Jordan was the region that Jesus ministered in while he was on earth. Elijah felt the need to walk these areas on the last day of his life on earth. When he asked Elisha what he wanted, he replied that he wanted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elijah told him that what he asked for was difficult but if he saw him leave, then he could have it. He did see the chariot of fire and he did see Elijah leave so he tore his own clothes off and put on the cloak of Elijah’s and immediately started calling on his spirit. He parted the Jordan and walked across. Then he healed the bitter waters with salt and called down a curse on some boys who were mocking him. Bears mauled them to death.
Elisha went to Mount Carmel where Elijah had called down fire and killed the prophets of Baal to spend some time there, then returned to Samaria.
In Acts, Paul and Barnabas were asked to come back the next Sabbath and teach. That next week, most of the town showed up to hear what they had to say. They explained that they were lights to the Gentiles to find their way to their God. The Gentiles were elated, but many of the Jews were not so happy about that. They formed a coalition of important people in the town against Paul and Barnabas. They threw them from their region. Paul and Barnabas left praising God for the opportunity to suffer for Christ.
They left there and went to Iconium where the same things happened. Many were saved and saw the miraculous power of God and many were upset and caused trouble for Paul and Barnabas. When they found out their was a plot to stone them, they fled the town and went to Lystra and Derbe. Nothing could stop them from preaching the truth.
Lord, may we be as determined as Elisha to get the mantle we want and as faithful as Paul and Barnabas to continue in our walk no matter the opposition.