Beyond MeasureSeeking God for More

2 Kings 2:1–12 NKJV

1 And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 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. 3 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” 4 Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho. 5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” 6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on. 7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.

Beyond Measure Seeking God for More

In Charles Dickins book Oliver Twist there is this great scene of the boys sitting down for their evening meal which consisted of gruel. Gruel was made from oatmeal or cornmeal that had been cooked in milk or water. It was weak and runny. It's the kind of "slop" that prisoners and other people in institutions used to have to eat. It’s important to have that picture of what gruel was as I read this short section from the book.

The evening arrived: the boys took their places; the master in his cook's uniform stationed himself at the copper; his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him; the gruel was served out, and a long grace was said over the short commons. The gruel disappeared, and the boys whispered each other and winked at Oliver, while his next neighbours nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger and reckless with misery. He rose from the table, and advancing, basin and spoon in hand, to the master, said, somewhat alarmed at his own temerity—

"Please, sir, I want some more.'

The master was a fat, healthy man, but he turned very pale. He gazed in stupefied astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds, and then clung for support to the copper. The assistants were paralysed with wonder, and the boys with fear.

"What!" said the master at length, in a faint voice.

"Please, sir," replied Oliver, "I want some more."

The master aimed a blow at Oliver's head with the ladle, pinioned him in his arms, and shrieked aloud for the beadle.

The board were sitting in solemn conclave when Mr. Bumble rushed into the room in great excitement, and addressing the gentleman in the high chair, said—

"Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir;— Oliver Twist has asked for more." There was a general start. Horror was depicted on every countenance.

"For more!" said Mr. Limbkins. pose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. Do I understand that he asked for more, after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary?"

"He did, sir," replied Bumble.

"That boy will be hung," said the gentleman in the white waistcoat; "I know that boy will be hung." - Charles Dickens

What a horrible situation, I know it’s just a story, but, I feel like we approach God like that sometimes. We think if we ask that God is only give us the “gruel” of heaven.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:20-21

Ephesians 3:20–21 NKJV

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Listen again to that verse.

Exceedingly: This word means going way beyond what's normal, usual, or expected. It's like breaking through limits or going past usual stopping points.

Abundantly: This talks about having a lot more of something than you need or think will happen. It shows how generous and overflowing God's giving and actions are.

When you put "exceedingly abundantly" together, it really shows how huge God's kindness, power, and ability are. It tells us that God can do much more than what we ask for, ready to give us more than we could ever dream of or think about asking for. This phrase helps us believe and trust in God's endless ability to give blessings and step into our lives, pointing out how God does things way bigger and better than we could ever expect or figure out.

With that in mind, let’s approach this passage to learn about this God who gives beyond measure, beyond and gives exceedingly and abundantly.

The Desire for More: Elisha's Request

Our scripture is about Elijah’s final days here on earth and the transition of the prophetic ministry to Elisha.

Elijah wanted to by himself as he prepared himself for being with God. Elijah wasn’t the only one who knew his time was short. Elisha knew, that group of prophets also knew. Elisha did not want to hear about it.

Elisha knew his friend, his spiritual mentor was leaving and I’m sure a lot of emotions where hitting him. Maybe you can understand. If you’ve had a loved one pass into the arms of Jesus and you knew it was going to happen within a short period of time you understand what Elisha may have felt.

Elisha doesn’t want to let him go and stays with him. The time has come and they must be separated and Elijah asks Elisha:

2 Kings 2:9 (NKJV)

“Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”

How would you have answered that question? Elisha could have asked for lots of things. He could of asked for:

Wisdom and Understanding: Elisha could have asked for wisdom and understanding to lead God's people and make decisions that align with God's will, similar to Solomon's request when he became king (1 Kings 3:9).

Protection and Guidance: He might have asked for God's protection and guidance as he stepped into his new role as a prophet, knowing the challenges and opposition he would face.

The Presence of God: Elisha could have requested a constant awareness of God's presence with him, to strengthen and comfort him as he navigated his calling.

Signs and Wonders: He might have asked for the ability to perform signs and wonders to validate his prophetic ministry in the eyes of the people, similar to the miracles Elijah performed.

Courage and Strength: Knowing the difficult path ahead, Elisha could have requested courage and strength to stand firm against opposition and to carry out his prophetic duties without fear.

A Heart for the People: Elisha might have asked for a heart that deeply cares for God's people, reflecting God's compassion and love, and the ability to lead them towards repentance and faithfulness.

Faithfulness to the End: He could have requested the perseverance and faithfulness to serve God wholeheartedly throughout his life, finishing his course strong and true to his calling.

Discernment: Elisha might have asked for discernment to understand God's will and the times, enabling him to speak God's word accurately and relevantly to the people of Israel.

Those are are good things that he could of asked for, but the one thing that he asks for is there in the later part of verse 9

2 Kings 2:9 (NKJV)

“Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

If you are familiar with the ministry of Elijah then you are quick to recognize that Elisha is asking for the God of exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us to be at work in his life.

Pause for a moment. Where do you currently stand in their spiritual journey. Are you feeling stagnant or vibrant in your faith? Are there areas of spiritual complacency or are you hungering for more? Elisha wanted more.

Being contentment in our circumstances is a virtue, we should not confuse it with complacency in our spiritual growth. Contentment means being grateful for what God has done but still yearning for deeper intimacy with Him.

There is a danger of becoming too comfortable in our current spiritual state. A stagnant spiritual life can lead to missed opportunities for growth and a diminished capacity to experience God's power and presence.

I want to challenge you to cultivate a desire for a greater measure of God's spirit in their lives. Just as Elisha sought a double portion of Elijah's spirit, we too can ask God for more of His presence, power, and love.

Pray boldly for an increase in faith and for the Holy Spirit to work more powerfully within you. Be specific in your requests, seeking not just general blessings but specific areas of growth and empowerment.

Elijah is wanting more of God when he asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit because Elijah’s spirit was transformed by the power of God at work in his life.

Let's look at how this connects to the blight of the Gospel that Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 .

2 Corinthians 4:3–6 CEB

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are on the road to destruction. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who don’t have faith so they couldn’t see the light of the gospel that reveals Christ’s glory. Christ is the image of God. 5 We don’t preach about ourselves. Instead, we preach about Jesus Christ as Lord, and we describe ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 God said that light should shine out of the darkness. He is the same one who shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us the Gospel shines like a bright light in the dark, showing us God's glory through Jesus. This isn't just about learning something new; it's about a light that changes everything it touches, making God's love and greatness more visible and real to us.

Seeking more of God leads us right into the radiant glow of the Gospel. This radiant glow isn't just any light; it's like flipping the switch in a dark room. Suddenly, everything's clear and out in the open. The more we want to know God and have His spirit, the brighter this Gospel light shines in our hearts, helping us see God's love and power in a whole new way.

The Gospel's light does more than just expose; it transforms. It brings life where there was death, hope where there was despair, and clarity where there was confusion. This light is not passive; it actively seeks to penetrate every part of our lives, illuminating our thoughts, decisions, and relationships. As we open ourselves to this light, we allow the knowledge of God's glory, displayed in the face of Christ, to mold us, shape us, and propel us towards actions that reflect His love and goodness.

Letting this light in means letting God's love change us from the inside out.

How We Live in This Light

Think About the Light: Ask yourself how the Gospel's light is showing up in your life. Are there dark spots that need the bright, loving light of God? How have you changed because of this light?

Chase the Light: Just like we ask for more of God's spirit, we should also try to live fully in the Gospel's light, letting it guide and change us.

Be the Light: Live in such a way that reflects Jesus's light. This means letting the Gospel's change in us show through acts of kindness and love, being beacons of hope in a dark world.

Here are some questions to think over: "How has understanding the Gospel changed how I see God, myself, and others?"

"How can I better show Jesus's light in what I do every day?"

Mark 9:7 CEB

7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice spoke from the cloud, “This is my Son, whom I dearly love. Listen to him!”

The Revelation of Glory: The Transfiguration of Jesus

As we've seen, the Gospel's light illuminates our understanding and draws us closer to the heart of God, revealing His nature and will for us. Moving from this illumination, we now turn our attention to the Transfiguration, an event that not only marked a significant revelation of Jesus's true identity but also serves as a powerful testament to the glory that we, as followers of Christ, are invited to witness and partake in.

The Transfiguration stands as a pivotal moment where heaven touches earth, and the human disciples get a glimpse of the divine reality. Here, on a high mountain, Jesus's appearance is transformed, and His divine glory is displayed before Peter, James, and John, setting a precedent for the transformative experiences we are called to seek in our own spiritual journeys.

In this moment of Transfiguration, we see a direct link between the divine illumination we receive from the Gospel and our call to seek deeper encounters with God's glory. Just as Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus in His glorified state, we are reminded of the importance of seeking moments where God's glory becomes tangibly real to us, guiding us, empowering us, and transforming our understanding of what it means to follow Christ.

This brings us to a crucial application for our lives: the pursuit of transformative experiences with God.

Just as the disciples were commanded to "listen to Him," we too are called to attune our hearts and minds to Jesus, seeking His presence and guidance in our daily lives. This pursuit is not just about seeking extraordinary moments but about opening ourselves to the transforming power of God's presence in every aspect of our lives, allowing His glory to shape us, guide us, and propel us forward in our faith journey.

So What?

What can I do with what has just been spoken?

Spend time in personal reflection and prayer, asking God to reveal areas of your lives where they desire more of His presence and power.

Be bold in your prayers, asking for a "double portion" of His spirit, just as Elisha did.

Regular engagement with Scripture is a must, not just as a routine but as a means to encounter the living Word.

Live out the Gospel through acts of service and kindness, reflecting the light of Christ in your communities. This can be a powerful way of experiencing and spreading God’s glory.

I want to challenge you to spend this week focused on one particular area where you seek more of God’s spirit, to engage with a Gospel passage daily, or to take a step of faith in serving others.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.