2 KINGS 2:1-2: DEDICATION IN THE
LORD
Dedication is difficult to find
anymore. We live in a society that promotes the short-term. Dedication is, in
fact, looked down on in many respects. When we consider the principles of
scripture, however, we must realize that we are called as children of God to be
dedicated in what we do. Without dedication, we are not honoring God since we
are called to do all we do as service to the Lord. It is my desire is that
believers are dedicated first to God but also to each other to help in our walk
together because we need God first and foremost, but we also need others. For a
biblical example of dedication, we may look to Elisha and his dedication to his
mentor, Elijah.
2 Kings 2:1-2
English Standard Version (ESV)
Elijah Taken to Heaven
2 Now when the Lord
was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on
their way from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please
stay here, for the Lord has sent
me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord
lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to
Bethel.
We Should Be Dedicated Because God
Works through Dedicated People (v. 1)
God
works through dedicated people. It is no secret that God used Elijah in mighty
ways, even calling down fire from heaven at one point. Because of Elijah’s
dedication to God, he was used in mighty ways. He was also rewarded for his
dedication. This particular passage occurs just before he is taken to heaven in
a whirlwind. Elijah did not die; he was simply taken away for his faithfulness.
Let this be our example of one used by God for his dedication.
Our
Dedication May Be Seen as an Example to Others
One
might also see verse 1 as a person’s example of dedication to others. Elijah
was the mentor of Elisha. Elisha participated in the ministry of Elijah and,
therefore, noticed his dedication. It was obvious. There was no way around it.
How then is our own example of dedication to others? Do people see us as
dedicated first and foremost to God and, through that service, dedicated to the
things we commit to, or do they see us as wavering in our commitments?
Dedication is contagious. This is evident when we are attempting to complete a
task and are weary and close to giving up but suddenly spurred on toward
completion through the dedication of someone else. People notice and respect
dedication. Let us examine dedication in our own lives.
We Should Be Dedicated Because God
Is Dedicated (v. 2)
The
most dedicated being in all of existence is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
There is no greater example of dedication. If for no other reason, we should be
dedicated in all that we do because God is dedicated. Elisha emphatically
states that as surely as the Lord lives, he would not leave Elijah. He was
dedicated because of the Lord’s dedication. As God is dedicated, we must also
be a dedicated people. We must realize, however, the reason for righteous
dedication. In anything we do, our dedication must come first out of a
dedication to God. Let us examine our hearts and lives and level of dedication
first to God and then to anything else we commit to. Let us be righteously
dedicated.
