2 Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Before he ascended up to heaven, Elisha asked the prophet Elijah for a double portion of the spirit that was upon him. Elisha did not ask for riches or fame. He requested a double portion of the anointing that was on his master and mentor Elijah. Like Simon in Acts 8, there are individuals who desire the power of God with wrong motives. God’s power is never to be sought for personal advantage, promotion, or glory. Nevertheless, there is an undeniable power of God that is given to those who desire to be used by The Lord for His purposes and glory. Elisha’s request was granted, with subsequent miracles and manifestations of the power of God.
Before Jesus Christ ascended up to heaven, He promised the power of The Holy Ghost to be a witness for Jesus Christ. Not to be a spectacular performer. Not to be an eloquent speaker, but to be a witness of the living Lord Jesus. The Church needs the power of God, not programs, to be His witnesses in these last days. We need His power to be salt and light and holy for sure. But we also can pray for a double portion of the very same miraculous manifestations of that power that we see throughout Scripture whenever His people proclaim Him as Lord and King.
Lord Jesus, pour out a double portion of Your Spirit today upon those reading this devotional. Grant a double portion of intimacy with You, with the overflow being a transformed life that manifests the love and life of Jesus Christ to others. Selah.
