7月29日

標　　題：雙倍的分量

經　　節：過去之後，以利亞對以利沙說：「我未曾被接去離開你，你要我為你做什麼只管求我。」以利沙說：「願感動你的靈加倍地感動我。」（列王紀下二章9節）

從沒有一個人像以利亞一樣。以利亞曾經使死人復活、吩咐火由天而降，及透露神的嚴重乾旱計劃。以色列人一定肯定，沒有其他先知擁有像以利亞一樣的能力，直到以利沙的出現。毋庸置疑地，摩西是希伯來人曾跟隨過的最偉大的領袖，然而，神安排約書亞成就摩西未完成的工作。在大衛的統治下，以色列國到達強盛的最高峰，但他被神拒絕創建聖殿，由他的兒子完成富麗堂皇的聖殿。

我們可能會信任神在我們身邊安排的屬靈領袖，多過於信任神自己。歷史教導我們，雖然這些敬虔的人是那麼受重用，然而神總有另一個摩西、以利亞和大衛，通常後繼者會有前輩加倍的靈。

神的目的不是要依賴我們，祂有無限的方法完成祂的計劃。這位帶領摩西的神，同樣也能使用約書亞。就算沒有人願意事奉祂，神照樣能以祂自己屬天的大能，完成祂的計劃。對神而言，我們絕對不是不能替代的，祂會完成祂自己的目標。問題是：我們能否有分于神的作為，還是祂會找其他人？如果我們以為自己在神面前，是不可缺少的一環，我們就是自欺了。事奉神是神賜給我們的榮幸，不是我們施給神的小惠。

如果你正痛失自己的屬靈領袖，不要沮喪。神會有另一位領袖，因為祂會確保完成祂的計劃。也許祂正預備你成為那位領袖。

A Double Portion

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." (2 Kings 2:9)

There had never been a man like Elijah. Elijah had raised the dead, called down fire from heaven, and revealed God’s plans for a devastating drought. The Israelites must have felt certain there would never be another prophet like Elijah, until Elisha came along. Moses was arguably the mightiest leader the Hebrews had ever followed, yet God prepared Joshua to accomplish what not even Moses had achieved. David’s reign marked a high point for the nation of Israel, yet it was Solomon who carried out the task that was denied his father, by building the spectacular temple.

We can be tempted to put more trust in the leaders God gives us than in God Himself. History teaches that, as wonderful as these godly people are, God always has another Moses, Elijah, or David. Often the successor will come with a double portion of their predecessors’ spirits.

God’s purposes do not depend on us. He has limitless ways to accomplish His will. The same God who led Moses could also use Joshua. If no one were willing to serve Him, the Lord would accomplish His work by His own divine power. We are not irreplaceable to the Lord. He will achieve His purposes. The question is this: Will we be a part of God’s activity, or will He find someone else? We deceive ourselves if we think we are indispensable to God. Service to the Lord is an honor God bestows on us, not a favor we do for God.

If you are mourning the loss of one of your leaders, do not despair. God has another leader, for He will see that His will is carried out. It may even be that He has been preparing you to be that leader.