He’s God’s perfect Servant, God’s very Word, who brings grace to a world under the curse of sin. He doesn’t just fix a dodgy water supply; He takes the curse of sin and death itself, replacing it with grace, forgiveness, and adoption into God’s family. That past sin, that current struggle – it doesn’t have to be the final word. God delights in bringing grace where there are curses.

Ever felt that knot of anxiety when a good leader moves on? Or perhaps a bit of trepidation when a bad one leaves, wondering if the next chap will be any better? Israel, back in 2 Kings 2 , was feeling it big time. Their principal prophet, Elijah, was about to be whisked away, and they were wondering how on earth they’d cope.

1. Our true Defence System

Everyone knew Elijah was Israel’s “chariots and horsemen” – their ultimate defence system. He was the one who called down fire, parted rivers, and protected Israel against God’s enemies. So, when he’s about to be taken, the panic sets in. “What will we do without Elijah?”

But they make a subtle but crucial mistake. Elijah wasn’t their defender; he was just God’s mechanism. The power, the protection, the real defence system, was always God Himself. Elijah was the instrument, not the source. When our trust isn’t fully in God, and the instrument we cling to is removed, anxiety sets in. I wonder if that sounds familiar?

2. God Raises Up the Servants We Need

Israel’s worry about Elijah was answered by God raising up Elisha. Just as Moses passed his leadership on to Joshua, Elijah (literally) passed his prophetic mantle to Elisha, complete with a double portion of the Spirit and river-parting miracles. Elisha had God’s power and wisdom, even if some of the prophets were a bit slow on the uptake, still wanting to go searching for Elijah.

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