February 25 Daily Devotional

February 25

Monthly Theme:

Elijah's name is his mission: "My God is the LORD." Elijah teaches us the meaning of repentance by the removal of idolatry. Unless we obey the Word, God's blessings don't descend. Instead, the land will experience a terrible drought.

Bible Reading:

2 Kings 2:1–8

Bible Text:

"Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" "Yes, I know," Elisha replied (2 Kings 2:3).

Devotional:

God gave Elisha to Elijah, and Elisha served his master for a couple of years. Then the LORD made it plain to both men that the time had come for Elijah to go home.

Before God took Elijah to heaven, the two men traveled through the country to visit three groups of prophets—one at Gilgal, one at Bethel, and one at Jericho. Apparently God had instructed Elijah to visit them one last time. The prophet schools were also aware that this was Elijah's final visit. They wished to discuss the matter with Elisha. However, he did not want to talk; Elisha knew God's decision was unalterable.

Elijah tested Elisha's loyalty by trying to shake him—three times. Each time Elisha swore an oath of allegiance and traveled on with his master. Finally the two approached the Jordan. At Elijah's command the waters were divided, just as on the day Israel entered the promised land. But Elijah wasn't entering the land—he was leaving it and its people.

Twice before, Elijah had left the land of Israel. First he went to the brook east of the Jordan, where ravens fed him. Then to Zarephath, near Sidon, where a widow was kept alive and rejoiced in the power of God. On his last journey, Elijah again departs from Israel. He is not even buried in the soil of the promised land. Baal-serving Israel is lost.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.