Jordan, Jericho, Bethel

8/11/2020

2 Kings 2:12 “And he saw him no more.”

We are all on a journey. I always say to people that walking through this life is so much easier and more joyful with God than without Him. It is also a blessing that God sends people into our lives that walk beside us for support and encouragement. In today’s lesson, Chambers is discussing how sometimes there are periods when we must walk alone, with only God and no one else. In 2 Kings 2, Elijah and Elisha are journeying together to Jordan, Jericho, and Bethel, all the while being reminded by others that Elijah would be taken up to Heaven. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and it was granted. After Elijah was taken up to Heaven, Elisha had to walk that same journey back alone, but he did so with the power of the Holy Spirit.

There comes a time in all of our lives when we lose the support and wisdom of someone who has been our mentor or confidant, our Elijah. We then will have to also learn how to journey alone, and it is at this point that we find out how true and deep our faith in God really is. Will we, at that time, be able to take all the wisdom and knowledge we have acquired and stand firm in our faith? Chambers called Jericho the place of being mentored, Jordan the place of separation from fellowship, and Bethel the place that will bring you to your wits’ end and the beginning of God’s wisdom. God’s hand and guidance is on us at every part of our walk through this life; we just need to trust in the truth of His mercy, grace, and love. Chambers writes, “Put into practice what you have learned with your Elijah, use his cloak and pray. Determine to trust in God and do not look for Elijah any more.”

Not long ago, I was blessed by God bringing a lovely young woman into my life. She had come to a crossroads and was looking for some guidance. We both attended the same church, but we did not connect that way. God brought us into each other’s lives through the organization I work for, where she was very involved as a volunteer. We started meeting for tea at a funky little place near where we live. At our first get-together, we talked for four hours. God had opened the door wide, and we felt a kinship right away. After a couple more tea times, I invited her to come to the Sunday school class I attended. She agreed, and that following Sunday was introduced to the most wonderful group of loving, kind, wise, mature Christian women I have ever known. They all loved her right from the start just like I did, and she loved them in return. She began studying the Bible, listening to Christian music, and becoming a prayer warrior. She and I were getting closer, and we cherished our time together.  Then BAM! The Covid-19 lockdown hit. Our tea times stopped, our church had to suspend all classes and services, and the governor enacted a “stay home to stay safe” order. It was hard all the way around, but I was finding myself missing my new adopted daughter terribly. This sweet soul in her Christian infancy now had to journey without any of her “Elijahs”, and she did so beautifully. She has walked with God in such a powerful way and been a source of encouragement and strength for others, especially me. Like Elisha, she is walking her Jericho, Jordan, and Bethel with full faith and trust in her Savior. It is an inspiring and beautiful thing to see. Love you M.S.