2 Kings 3:11 AMP
But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here from whom we may inquire of the LORD?” One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water over Elijah’s hands.”
Every child of God has a spiritual history closely related to where the grace of God has elevated them today. It’s a history of untold personal commitments to live in honour of God, and to the glory of His name. Before God, the starting point of your spiritual history, as a child of God, is from the day you put your faith in Jesus for salvation. From then on, we were all presented with the grand opportunity to access God’s throne of grace through Christ (Heb 4:16). That implies two things at least: first, we now have the wonderful privilege of talking directly with our heavenly Father. Second, we are positioned to know what is dear to His heart.
While many have done well in the first, the second privilege largely remains untapped; yet, that is where the grace for elevation rests. Once he had received God’s saving grace, the Apostle Paul said, “…by the [remarkable] grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not without effect. In fact, I worked harder than all of the apostles, though it was not I, but the grace of God [His unmerited favor and blessing which was] with me” (1 Cor 15:10 AMP). Hallelujah! From a disturbing religious history, Paul dedicated himself to serving God’s pleasure, and the LORD did great things in and through him. Similarly, Elisha’s commitment to serve the Prophet Elijah also brought about an elevation.
When King Jehoshaphat needed to hear God clearly, the one whose name quickly came up was “Elisha the son of Shaphat…who used to pour water over Elijah’s hands”, as in our text. Elisha’s history of humble servitude to God, first, and then God’s servant Elijah, did not go unnoticed in heaven. The time came when Elisha, who “used to pour water” for Elijah to wash his hands, was sought by men because “The word of the LORD is with him” (2 Kin 3:12 AMP). Hallelujah! When we truly spend time with the LORD, our spiritual progress gets shaped and consumed with what matters to Him. It is a blessing to talk to the LORD; it is even a greater blessing to be His mouthpiece to others with His evident backing.
Pst. Emmanuel