Quiet Time Coaching Episode 456 | New Thing Series — Part 11 | “Elijah’s Future” | Malcolm Cox

Introduction
A new thing! I’m Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: ‘See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’

For the next few days we are focussed on God doing a new thing in the lives of Elijah and Elisha. Today we explore Elijah’s future.

Elijah had a terrific, yet troubled past. His present was convicting and inspiring. What of his future?

Go back
“The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came…” (1 Kings 19:15 NIV11)

Sometimes the way back is the way forward. Not so much that we should repeat the past, but that we can go back to friends, church, family group, prayer, evangelism and serving with a spirit renewed by God. Is God calling you to go back to something — so as to do a new thing?

Work with my people
“The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.” (1 Kings 19:15-17 NIV11)

Elijah was commissioned to empower people in various roles. Some were in leadership, and one, Elisha, was to be his successor. Our future is always, at least to some extent, an investment in the next generation. Is there someone God is calling you to mentor in the faith?

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV11)
This is not only applicable to the apostle Paul and his protege Timothy. It encapsulates a principle that is part of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. You have valuable things that need to be passed on. No, you may not be an expert in scripture, theology or some technical aspects of the Christian life. But, you have the Spirit and he has been working on you all of your Christian life. Events of your past and your present have prepared you for a new thing, and part of that is preparing the next generation for whatever new thing God will do with them.

For Reflection
1Our future may not be revealed to us as specifically as Elijah’s was, but by reflecting on our past and present, and as we pray for insight, God will provide the guidance we need to make decisions of faith.

Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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“Carpe Diem” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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