Emphasis Preaching Journal

Isaac Newton, looking back over his achievements said, "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." The Sunday before July 4th intersects with today's Old Testament text. Once again we meet two great Old Testament figures, Elijah and Elisha. As Elijah's ministry was winding down, Elisha longed to do some of the good work that Elijah had done. He prayed that he might receive a double portion of Elijah's great spirit. That prayer was answered. After the old prophet Elijah was carried away in a chariot of fire, his mantle slowly fell down to the earth. Elisha picked it up and made it his own. The text says that, "the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha." Elisha never forgot whose mantle he wore. Like Newton, Elisha was only able to do all the wonderful deeds he did because of Elijah. As we thank God for our country, let us remember the brave patriots and soldiers who left us this great legacy of freedom. Hopefully we will move the light of freedom a little further down the road. Whatever we do it will be because we stand on the shoulders of giants like Elijah and Elisha.

After Martin Luther King Jr. died, Ralph Abernathy was chosen to take the leadership role in the civil rights struggle. One reporter asked Mr. Abernathy if he was going to try to fill Dr. King's shoes. He answered, "I can't fill those shoes, but I do have some sandals of my own." Elisha must have certainly felt that way. He may have wrapped himself in Elijah's mantle, but deep in his heart he knew he had use the gifts that God had given him.