II Kings 2:8–11

Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”

Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

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Elijah was only one of two people in the Bible to not experience physical death (besides Jesus). The other was Enoch, who was translated because “he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5). Surely the same could be said of Elijah. Some have also speculated that Melchisedec (Genesis 4:17–24) did not experience physical death because the writer of Hebrews noted that Melchisedec had “neither beginning of days, nor end of life” (Hebrews 7:3). However, in that context the writer is drawing an analogy to Christ’s supremacy by noting the absence of genealogy and records about Melchisedec; it is more than a historical statement about Melchisedec’s lifespan.

One Sunday, a pastor asked the congregation, “How many of you think God is really pleased with you?” Only two children raised their hands. Almost everyone in the congregation knew that God loved them, but they felt like God was not pleased with them. They equated God’s pleasure in them to how well they performed Christian works. Elijah is an example of a man who made serious mistakes. The Lord gave him three direct commands of people to anoint (I Kings 19:15–16), but Elijah never carried out two of those commands. If we look at Elijah’s performance, we may think God would not be pleased with Elijah. Yet, Elijah was translated.

If you struggle with never feeling like you are enough for God, remember that you will never be perfect. Instead of trying to perform our way to perfection, we are to walk in faith, experience His grace, and extend His love.

That concludes our devotional for today. Let us finish with a word of prayer. 

WORD OF PRAYER

Lord, thank You for reminding us that Your pleasure in us is not based on our perfection but on our faith in You. Help us to walk confidently in Your grace, knowing that You delight in us as Your children. Strengthen our faith and let us rest in Your love, not in our own efforts. Teach us to extend grace and love to others, just as You have given to us. 

In the name of Jesus, amen.