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Today's Devotional

And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me”—2 Kings 2:9 (ESV)

In the call of the prophet Elisha, God saw the young man’s willingness to obey; all bridges had to be burned behind him. Friend, the Lord has called you, too. Are you separated from the old things? You cannot go on unless you are.

[Eventually the day came when Elijah was to be taken into heaven.] Then Elijah said, “The Lord has sent me to Jordan. You stay here.” [But Elisha would not stay.] When they came to Jordan, Elijah struck his cloak on it and they crossed. No doubt Elisha said, “I must follow his steps.” And when they had gone over, the old man said, “You have done well; you would not stay back. What is the real desire of your heart? I feel I am going to leave you. Ask what you like now, before I leave you.”

“Master,” he said, “I have seen all that you have done. Master, I want twice as much as you have.”

I believe it is the fainthearted who do not get much. As they went on up the hill, down came the chariot of fire and the young man said “Father, father, father,” and down came the cloak.

What have you asked for? Are you satisfied to continue on in the old way now that the Spirit has come to give you an unlimited supply of power?

What do you want? Elisha asked and he got it. He came down and he said, “I don’t feel any differently.” However, he had the knowledge that feelings are not to be counted on as anything; some of you are looking to your feelings all the time. He came down to the waters of the Jordan as an ordinary man. Then, in the knowledge in which he possessed the cloak (not in any feelings about it), he said, “Where is the God of Elijah?” and he struck the water with the cloak. The waters parted and Elisha put his feet down into the river and crossed to the other side. When you put your feet down and say you are going to have a double portion, you will get it.

Are you asking for a double portion? I trust that no one will come short in any gift (1 Corinthians 1:7). You say, “I have asked. Do you think God will be pleased if I ask again?” Yes, do so before him. Ask again; then we will no longer be working in our own strength but in the Holy Spirit’s strength, and we will see and know his power because we believe.

About the author and the source

Although he was a poorly educated man who did not learn to read until after his marriage, Smith Wigglesworth (1859–1947) was devoted to God and saw success in his work. He led thousands to Christ, was used to heal many through faith, and set an example of belief in God’s promises, especially those regarding the Holy Spirit. Others collected and edited his sermons into a devotional. Today’s words are condensed from one of those.