August 17                                        Isa 49 - 51

WASTED

MEMORISE: ' Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thins hand to do it.' (Prov3:27)
READ: Matthew 25:14-30

Elijah was a mighty instrument in God's hand. Before he went to glory, he had to transfer his anointing to another prophet. There were several candidates, but in the end his successor was the one who remained obedient and dedicated to the end-Elisha. When it was time to receive the anointing, Elisha asked for a double portion, and God granted it to him.

Elisha continued Elijah's work and God's anointing rested very strongly on him. It was only natural that Elisha should pass the anointing on as Elijah had done. God planned for Gehazi would to inherit it, and would have give him a double portion of anointing, if Gehazi would only ask. This could have been carried over from generation to generation to benefit God's people. But when Elisha died, he took the anointing to the grave with him.

2 Kings 13:20-21 tells of a corpse that was hurriedly dropped in Elisha's grave years later. The people who were burying him saw a band of Moabite soldiers approaching, and quickly dropped the dead man onto Elisha's bones. On touching the prophet's bones, the dead man immediately came to life. He saw the soldiers on one side and his relatives running in the opposite direction, so he ran after them. As the relatives looked back, they saw the 'dead' man running after them, and their sorrow turned to joy.

The power in Elisha's bones could change austerity to prosperity (2 Kings 4:1-7). It could make the great even greater (2kings 4:8-17). It can turn your enemies into servants. It can cure any sickness or disease. Yet it was buried in the grave while those who should have been delivered by it were suffering. Have you buried your talents by leaving them undeveloped? Are you able to bless others and put a smile on their faces, yet refuse to do so? Remember, one day you will have to give account of your talents. Do not let the ideas, gifts and blessings God has given you go to the grave without having been used. Use them now for his glory.

ACTION POINT
What resources, talents and abilities in your life are going to waste?
List them and start using them today.