February 27 Daily Devotional

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 2:13–18

Bible Text:

He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back (2 Kings 2:13).

Devotional:

Before the LORD took Elijah, Elisha said to his master, ''Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit." In saying this, he was asking to be treated as Elijah's firstborn son–his heir and successor.

Yet Elijah had no say in this matter, since the spiritual power he possessed was God's to give or to withhold. "If you see me when I am taken from you," said Elijah, "it will be yours." That is, if the LORD will permit you to prophetically see and understand, then your request will be granted.

When the fiery chariot came to take Elijah up, Elisha saw him for what he really was: "My father! My father!" he cried. "The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" With startling clarity he saw that Elijah was the strength and hope of Israel.

Then the Spirit of God, who was on Elijah, fell on Elisha. As a symbol of this transfer, Elijah's mantle fell on Elisha. With this cloak Elisha hit the Jordan, and the waters parted as they had for Elijah. Then the company of prophets bowed before him, honoring him as Elijah's successor.

The Spirit of God had not yet departed from Israel. Through Elisha the LORD continued to speak in word and deed. Later, when Elisha died, a king wept over him and said, "My father! My father! ... The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" (2 Kings 13: 14).

The real hope and power of any group or nation are God's Word and Spirit. As long as they are here, we have a future.

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.