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2Kings 2:1-2, 8-9 (GNB)
The time came for the LORD to take Elijah up to heaven … on the way Elijah said to Elisha, "Now stay here; the LORD has ordered me to go to Bethel." But Elisha answered, "…I will not leave you." So they went on to Bethel. *Then Elijah took off his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the water with it; the water divided, and he and Elisha crossed to the other side on dry ground. There, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what you want me to do for you before I am taken away."
It is one thing for you to have great revelation or an extraordinary vision of great possibilities. However, it is quite another for you to pursue that revelation or vision with great diligence. God rewards diligent, not casual seekers, Heb.11:6. Our text above reveals to us two ways that Elisha was rewarded because of his diligence. First of all, he had firsthand experience of how Elijah his master parted the river Jordan. 2Kings 2:7 indicates that there were some sons of the prophet who were at Jordan standing afar off to view what was happening. Elisha was different, he was standing close by and clearly taking in all that was happening. His vision and diligence gave him this opportunity. The second thing we notice is that the same Elijah who once asked Elisha to remain at Bethel and Jericho eventually changed his communication with Elisha.
He instead began to ask Elisha for what he wanted. Elijah knew that for Elisha to have pursued him so closely, there must have been something special that he wanted. If your pursuit of the things that God has shown you are possible, you will be tempted like Elisha to stay back and settle at Bethel and Jericho or to stand far off like the sons of the prophet did, but if you remain diligent and persistent, you will be rewarded.
Keep studying, keep praying, keep building yourself. Keep serving. Keep being faithful and keep being diligent. Keep going the extra mile. Keep practicing the word of God and keep pursuing the things that God has revealed to you. Your diligence will be greatly rewarded.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I receive Your grace to never give up and to remain diligent and persistent in Your plan and will for my life.
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