Where is the Lord God of Elijah

2Kings 2:14, “And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.” Today we focus on the man, the mantle, and the oil. But […]

2Kings 2:14, “And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.”

Today we focus on the man, the mantle, and the oil. But Elisha knew something that most Christians today don’t know: the God of the mantle. Elisha was face to face with a challenge of how to cross the River Jordan. He had the mantle that dropped from Elijah in his hands. It contained the power of God but when he struck the water he shouted, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? Notice he did not ask for Elijah, he did not ask where is the power in the mantle; he asked Where is the LORD God of Elijah?
There are two reasons most people never receive a miracle:
1. We focus on the vessel rather than God. It reminds me of the time in battle when the Ark of the Covenant was taken into battle where it was eventually captured (1Samuel 4:1-11). Israel was losing the battle when they decided to bring the Ark to change the battle in their favor. When the ark arrived at the battle front, the Israelites shouted to welcome the Ark but their enemies’ interpretation was different. They concluded that the God of the Israelites had arrived the battle front (1Samuel 4:7). While the Israelites focused on the container, their enemies focused on the content. The Philistines focused on the God of the Ark. Well, the container did not work for Israel! I strongly believe in the use of these objects but our focus must be the One who has anointed them.
2. Unbelief.
Every miracle is done by God using men as vessels. Jesus did not minister as God; he relinquished that position when he took on the form of a man. Instead, he ministered as a man, fully yielded to the Holy Spirit. Let us see what the Bible says.
Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
Jesus made it clear it was the Father that was doing the work.
John 14:10, “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”
NLT John 14:10, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say are not my own, but my Father who lives in me DOES HIS WORK THROUGH ME.”
John 5:19-20, “19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth:”
Even revelations come from the Father. Matthew 16:17, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
God used the hands of the apostles. Acts 5:12, “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people…”
God was merely using their hands so they could not take the credit for the miracles!
Act 19:11, “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul…”
It was not Paul doing these miracles; God used him as a vessel. He has promised to use us also. So, the faith of the people should not be planted in the vessel but in God. After all, God promised to be present in any gathering that is in His name.
It should therefore not be what miracle has this man done before but what has God done before. Our faith should be in the promises of God and not in the charisma of the vessel even though the charisma of the vessel helps one to believe.
The people in Jesus’ home town missed God when they focused on the boy they grew up with. Jesus referred to this as ‘unbelief.’ This form of unbelief is hardly recognized today or talked about by the church. We look at unbelief only as doubting the word of God. Yes it is! But if you don’t receive the vessel, you will not receive the message brought by the vessel. If you despise the vessel you will despise his message and the One who sent him.
Every miracle is an act of God! And we must always look up unto him and give him the glory when the miracle takes place.
The second reason people don’t receive miracles is unbelief. God has started miracles in people which were never completed because of unbelief. A good example is when Peter walked on water when he saw the Lord Jesus Christ walking on water and asked if could join him and the Lord said ‘come’. But when he took his eyes off the word and began to look at the waves, his faith failed and he began to sink. The Lord rescued him when Peter eventually cried for help. His doubt cost him a smooth walk on water.
In summary, you can walk on what others are sinking in by looking up to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. You can do this by believing the word of God which guarantees you deliverance in that very situation.
God uses faith extenders to carry the raw power of God which is delivered when applied by faith. Aprons and handkerchiefs were taken from the body of Paul and sent to distant places without compromising the power they contained. Demons were cast out and various miracles were recorded through these instruments. But we must realize that it was not these vessels that did the job but the Spirit of God. Similarly, great miracles have been recorded in our ministry as well as many ministries with the application of blessed anointing oil, miracle mantles and other instruments. However, care must be taken not to create idols out of these instruments or vessels: our faith must be firmly planted in God who uses these instruments as he pleases.
Like Elisha we must look for the ‘God of Elijah’ and not Elijah or the mantle. We must realize that even when these things are used it is the prayer of faith that brings about the miracles. As you re-channel your faith to the right place, more and more miracles will occur in your life in Jesus name! Have a blessed week!
Bishop Dr. Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.
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