15 The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.
16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.
17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.
18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel-- all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him."
19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.
God picks and chooses whomever He desires and there is something that is true for all. He prepares them through life’s circumstances that makes them usable. Not everyone is desirous to serve the Lord. We have examples like Moses and Jonah. Then there are others like Isaiah or Elisha who fall into the category who receive a call from God to serve in a unique manner. They do not need much convincing. They have the heart that blesses the Lord which He desires of us all.
Elijah’s next assignments were needed to regain his perspective on the Lord. On Mount Horeb he was not where the Lord wanted him when he ran away. God needed to do an attitude adjustment.
The Lord gave Elijah further jobs to perform. So much of depression is frankly nothing more than self-pity, physical exhaustion, and not being in a right relationship with God. Work helps me get rid of depression most of the time. I stop feeling sorry for myself when my mind is concentrated on activity.
The Lord can't be served very effectively with a discouraged person. He had to show Elijah that God still has a plan for his life. God also told Elijah that in the Northern nation of Israel there were 7,000 people who had not bowed down to Baal and whose hearts were prepared to serve God. God knows a lot more that is going on than what we realize. God also has a plan for us.
I am happily surprised to hear of someone, whom I thought was uninvolved, encourage others by giving a card, email, phone call, or visit. God does have a wonderful plan for your life and wants to use you for His glory, your blessing, and the blessing of others.
A prepared heart first means that you are saved. A prepared heart desires to confess daily sin, turn from it and to seek to live a godly life. Elijah needed to look at God once again - not to others or himself. A prepared heart desires the Holy Spirit to search him, examine him and find sinful ways that keep him from being useful.
Scriptures reveal Elisha honored his parents, showed respect and love to his servants, and was an honorable man of God in his normal life. God desires a prepared heart which is already serving the Lord where he or she is.
Application: What are needs in the church or community that you are willing to meet for Jesus’ sake?
Prayer: Lord, give me opportunities to do Your will in filling the needs before me.
