Daily Devotional for Saturday, February 24

The Final Days of Elijah’s Ministry

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven,” 2 Kings 2:11.

I often question whether I am truly pleasing God by my life. Think of some of the people in the Bible, and what God says about them. Enoch “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24). The Lord said of David, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart” (Acts 13:22). Abraham was called “the Friend of God” (James 2:23). There are countless other examples of well-regarded people in the Bible. Can the Lord call you His friend? Can He call you faithful? Are you His child?

If you think about it, the Scriptures really do not tell us a great deal about the prophet Elijah. There are a few chapters that account for his life and ministry, and there are some references to him in the New Testament. By contrast, David has whole books in the Bible that record his life. Paul has many chapters devoted to his ministry. I have never counted all the verses about Elijah, but we may know more about Ruth or Esther than we do him!

What is amazing to me is that Elijah experienced something that has never happened to any other human—ever. Elijah went to Heaven in the most unconventional way. He went by a whirlwind, thanks to a chariot of fire and horses of fire. The Bible does not record that Elijah died. He pleased the Lord, and God spared him from death. Elijah did not serve God so he could go out “by a whirlwind.” We are never to do things for our own honor and glory. The Bible tells us that everything we do should please God. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

JUST A THOUGHT
If there was an account of your life in the Scriptures, what would God say about you?

Chris Floyd