2 Kings 2:21-22 - Carrying The Mantle
Step 1: Pray. Select.
Today, as I sat down to pray, the Holy Spirit kept pressing me to focus on scriptures related to miracles. There were many beautiful verses, but the one that stood out amongst the rest was 2 Kings 2: 21-22.
I decided to read the whole chapter for more context, which I was glad I did, to remind myself of Elisha's character.
After reading the chapter, I confirmed it was time to move to STEP 2.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’ ” So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here are the personalized sentence(s) that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, the source of the water, I have healed this water, according to the word he spoke.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
I close my eyes to visualize the words from my sentence today. I am focused on the mere fact that in this particular scripture of Elisha performing miracles after transference of a double portion of the spirit Elijah carried, whatever he speaks into life, it is done. However, this power was not transferred lightly. Elijah even said to Elisha before the transfer, “You have asked for a hard thing.”
I think about the power of our words to speak things into existence, like Elisha. The key is that the spirit of the LORD was on Elijah, and without the mantle being given to Elisha and Elisha accepting it and its weight, speaking miracles to life would not be possible. We must be in alignment with the LORD and his purpose when we speak things into existence. It is essential. Otherwise, it has no merit, and we might speak things into existence for purely selfish gain.
The Holy Spirit wants me to pay special attention to the mantle in this story. The cloak that Elijah carried. I think of when people refer to the mantle as being heavy. While there may be a calling on Elisha to speak miracles into existence, with that power comes an extremely heavy responsibility. People will ask more of him. And the more he performs miracles, the more he will have to keep his spirit clean to avoid being drunk with power.
Today, the Holy Spirit is asking me to consider what it takes to carry a heavy mantle. What does it take to be blessed to the point that miracles become a regular thing?
Jesus’s mantle was heavy, and by the Father’s strength, he was able to carry out the ultimate miracle to save us all through his resurrection. The LORD is warning me to avoid arrogance, especially when being blessed or when the blessing is upon you. Be careful to understand the commitment and honor of being in covenant with the LORD and his agenda. For without him, nothing matters. Remember, the LORD blesses those who love him, and understand the purpose for the blessing to be given is to serve his will and proclaim his glory in all things.
I have a question in my mind, so I proceed to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, what does it mean when you say your burden is light when the mantle is heavy?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
“You must understand the level at which I operate is not for you. You are made to tend to your assigned daily bread. Nothing more, nothing less. The weight of my glory is too much for you. But in partnership with me, we can do amazing things for the Kingdom together. The important thing in today’s scripture is to understand the loyalty and devotion of Elisha. Pay close attention to his character. He never tried to overthrow Elijah; he loved him and served him well. When I took Elijah, Elisha’s wish for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, which was my spirit, was granted. Elisha was a man of character. He was powerful but would never abuse the power I gave him. He was a reflection of Jesus to come. Especially when I resurrected a dead man by merely coming into contact with Elisha’s dead bones after being killed and tossed away into Elisha’s grave. Look at the woman with the issue of blood. One touch on the hem of the garment of my son and she was healed after years of agony. You have been thinking about a fireplace mantle since you started praying today. Still, because it is not a cloak or mantle as described in the Bible, you think your vision is incorrect and are not going to write about it out of feeling like you don't know enough. It is not a mistake. Think of it in this way and write it down now. A mantle frames a fire. It is a place where you display things above the fire. It surrounds a fireplace. Like the cloak I placed upon Elijah and Elisha and other prophets in the Bible, I was cloaking the fire to be harnessed for my good. The prophets were on display for the people to see my goodness. Stop second-guessing if you will be blessed, but rather ask yourself, are you prepared for when you will be blessed? Heed this warning and start preparing so you will glorify me when you wear a cloak of honor and do the impossible with man, but everything is possible through me. The cloak will symbolize that we are carrying the yolk together and doing all things for the glory of the Kingdom. Again, I say, study the character of Elisha. When the time comes, you will be framed by my mantle, which will harness your fire that burns within.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus.
I must admit this word is quite powerful and moved me into a place of submission this morning. I need to remember no matter what you bless me with, the power is all yours, and I would be honored to share the yolk of your work in the Kingdom in any portion you see fit.
Help me remain humble today, and anytime I am tempted to stray away from your nature, bring your servant back quickly. This is no time to be drunk with power; this is the time to harness the gifts you have given me and make sure I execute the daily portion you have assigned me with excellence and what would be pleasing to you.
Thank you for showing me a character model in Elisha. And thank you for reminding me of the power of Jesus and his resurrection power everywhere I go.
In Jesus' mighty name, I pray and seal this prayer with the blood of Jesus - Amen.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear how God works in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, be careful of wishing to be blessed before you can handle the power of the blessing. Let’s all focus on the character of Elisha. We are here to serve the LORD and use the blessing and mantle for his purposes. Nothing more, nothing less.
Let’s all ask God to harness our power and never forget that without God, we are not able to achieve or do anything. He is the source of our lives and our power.
The mantle is heavy, so don’t try to carry it alone. Always be in covenant with God, and you will always arrive at the intended destination deemed and set apart by the LORD.
God bless you. See you soon!
