Thirsting After God

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)

The first requirement to move in greater power and authority in God is to hunger for it. This hunger is born from God and cannot be artificially stimulated. Elisha hungered after God. Elisha saw many miracles as Elijah's servant. But he wanted more. He wanted a double portion of Elijah's spirit. When he asked Elijah for this, the prophet responded, “You have asked a difficult thing.” It wasn't because it couldn't be granted. Elijah knew that with great anointing came a great weight of responsibility and difficulty.

Second, humility comes before honour. Elisha was known as the ‘servant of Elijah.’ How would you like to be known as ‘the servant of someone? Your name is not even mentioned. This was the preparation of Elisha. It has been the preparation of many men of God. Consider Joseph, the servant of Pharaoh. Consider David, the servant of Saul.

Third, Elisha committed himself totally to his calling. The Scripture says that when Elisha was called to join Elijah, the young man left his farm business completely. He slaughtered his oxen and had a great feast for the community. (1 Kings 19: 19-21) It was all or nothing. He could not fall back on his farm trade if his new venture didn't work. This demonstrates Elisha's pioneering spirit in stepping out, not knowing what was ahead. He burned all the bridges behind him. He no longer had a past he could go back to.

Do you want to move in a greater dimension of the anointing in God? “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart, I will be found by you” (Jeremiah 29: 13). Begin thirsting for God's anointing in your heart today. This is the starting place of greater things to come.

Father, create in me a hunger for Your presence and for Your Word. I am reaching out to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.