Double Portion

What is the biggest thing you have ever asked from God?

​Meditation
2 Kings 2:9--When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
 
In 1 Kings 19:16, God told Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor. Elisha accepted God’s call and spent time following and receiving mentoring from Elijah. Just before God took Elijah from earth on a chariot of fire (an incredible story), Elijah offered Elisha the opportunity to make a request. When Elisha asked for a double portion, he was essentially requesting the inheritance of the firstborn, who received twice as much as the other sons, and a leadership role among the prophets.[1] It was a bold request that God fulfilled. Quickly, the other prophets recognized that Elijah’s spirit rested on Elisha (2:15). 
            
Two chapters later in 2 Kings 4, we read three incredible miracles. God raised a dead boy back to life, healed a poisoned stew, and multiplied 20 loaves of bread so 100 men ate and had food left over. All of this was accomplished through the faith and actions of Elisha. These were miracles that foreshadowed the wonders Jesus would accomplish—raising the dead to life, healing sicknesses, and multiplying bread and fish. These same miracles are available to us if we have the faith to believe.
            
Elisha did not ask for a double portion so he could be great. If that was his motivation, God would not have answered his prayer. His request was an act of faith predicated on a sincere admiration for Elijah’s life and a desire to see his God exalted in Israel. His request revealed the depth of his faith.
            
​Would you rather ask God for the impossible or settle for mundane?  Would you rather take faith risks or sit safely on the sidelines? Elisha could have left a woman bereaving the son she did not ask for. Instead, he threw himself on that lifeless child and dared to believe God would bring him back. I believe that what we ask God reveals much about who and what we are. Today might be the day you should ask for a double portion. Something to think about . . . in reveration!
            
Inspiration
“The more you believe God, the more people will be blessed through you.”—Wesley Duewel
 
©2026 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10—"The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.”  (Holman CSB)


[1] Biblegateway.com