"Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah"

2 Kings 1, 2:14, 1-14

Introduction:

- In life’s tough times, even unbelieversask, “Where is God? Where is the Lord is this?” Because they do not know who He is or believe in Him in any way, their basic question is, “If God exists how could He allow these terrible painful things to happen?”

- Believerssometimes also ask, “Where is God? Where is the Lord is this?” But for true believers, their questions are not about, “Does God exist?” but more so, “Where is the Lord leading them?” and, “What do they need to understand to walk with Him more closely and serve Him better?”

We are in good company when we ask these sincere questions with the right heart motives. We are in better company when having asked our questions, we pick up the mantle that He has entrusted to us and proceed by faith to where He is leading us.

So, with Elisha, after he picked up Elijah’s mantle, let us continue to ask, “Where is the God of Elijah?” Having asked, as with Elisha and Elijah, the word of the LORD, answers our question. The God of Elijah is:

1. Even where, people call on other “gods” because they have no sense of God – 2 Kings 1

o Ahaziah, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness?” – 2 Kings 1:2

o Elijah, “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?” “Thus says the LORD, … you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.” – 2 Kings 1:3, 6

o “So, he (Ahaziah) died according to the word of the LORD.” – 2 Kings 1:17.

2. Wherever the LORD sends us – 2 Kings 2:2.

o “The LORD has sent me to Bethel, Jericho, to the Jordan and beyond – 2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6, 8.

3. With those who walk together with the LORD – 2 Kings 2:1-8.

o Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal to Bethel, to Jericho, Jordan and beyond – 2 Kings 2:1, 2, 4, 6-7, 8, 11.

4. With those whom the LORD calls and empowers – 2 Kings 2:9-12a, 12b-14.

o Elijah, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” – 2 Kings 2;9.

o Elisha, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” – 2 Kings 2:9

o Elijah, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” – 2 Kings 2:10

o And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father (of Elijah)! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen.” – 2 Kings 2:11-12; 13:14

o When Elisha took up the cloak of Elijah, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” – 2 Kings 2:14

Living as we in a day, when even believers tend to be self-centered, may we re-calibrate ourselves to ask, “Where is the God of Elijah?” When we ask that sincerely, the word of the LORD comes to those who listen and obey.

1. To whom, who has no sense of God, might the Lord be directing me?

2. Where is the Lord sending me?

3. With whom are we walking and talking with the Lord together?

4. What is the Lord calling and empowering us to do?

AWV/Nov 19/23