Elisha And His Ministry
2 Kings 13:14 says, “Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.”
Elijah’s ministry was handed down to Elisha after he was taken up into heaven (2 Ki 2:11). Elisha received the best training of obedience and total dependence upon God (1 Sam 15:22). He did above and beyond his call of duty and even performed many miracles for God’s glory! But unlike king Hezekiah whom the Lord added another 15 years to his life when he was sick unto death (2 Ki 20:6), Elisha died when he “was fallen sick of his sickness.”
Why did he not just ask God to heal him? Since he was able to raise a child from the dead (2 Ki 4:34), and heal Naaman’s leprosy (2 Ki 5:14). We need to understand that God will only hear our prayers, which include healing the sick, “if we ask any thing according to His will” (1 Jn 5:14). And it shall be done in His perfect time (Ecc 3:1). We should never expect God to always heal us when we are sick or when our loved ones are gravely ill. Whenever we pray for healing (Jer 17:14), we must also pray for the Lord’s will to be done (Lk 11:2), because He knows what’s best for us!
Therefore, when we are sick or when we are praying for the sick, we should always ask God for strength (Ps 86:16). It is during those times of our infirmities that God’s grace can make us stronger (2 Cor 12:10). When we experience life’s trials and difficulties, God shall bring us to a place where He can move in us and through us in miraculous ways! Before He can use us in a mighty way, He must first place us in a position wherein we can fully lean upon Him. He can then work through us and our situation in ways that we’ve never even imagined! God bless you!
-Pastor Melito Barrera
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