No Fiery Chariot

It was not given Elisha to follow his master in a fiery chariot. Upon him the Lord permitted to come a lingering illness. During the long hours of human weakness and suffering his faith laid fast hold on the promises of God, and he beheld ever about him heavenly messengers of comfort and peace. As on the heights of Dothan he had seen the encircling hosts of heaven, the fiery chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof, so now he was conscious of the presence of sympathizing angels, and he was sustained. Throughout his life he had exercised strong faith, and as he had advanced in a knowledge of God’s providences and of His merciful kindness, faith had ripened into an abiding trust in his God, and when death called him he was ready to rest from his labors….

Elisha could say in all confidence, “God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me.” And with rejoicing he could testify, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Christ claims all those as His who have believed in His name. The vitalizing power of the Spirit of Christ dwelling in the mortal body binds every believing soul to Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus are sacred to His heart; for their life is hid with Christ in God….

What a glorious morning will the resurrection morning be! What a wonderful scene will open when Christ shall come to be admired of them that believe! All who were partakers with Christ in His humiliation and sufferings will be partakers with Him in His glory. By the resurrection of Christ from the dead every believing saint who falls asleep in Jesus will come forth from his prison house in triumph. The resurrected saint will proclaim, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Conflict and Courage p. 229
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Prayer Requests
—–Please continue to pray that the issues concerning the radio station will be resolved soon. Dahlia
—–I have a sore on my tongue, pray that God will touch and heal it. Mark
—–I humbly ask you pay for me! I need guidance from The Lord. Jeanette
—– I have uncontrollable high blood pressure I have take all meds for high bp and in between meds and still 183/111 please pray. Jenny
—-I’ve been having severe panic attacks. I’m starting a new job today and I’m already starting to panic. Obviously I can’t just walk out of my new job, so I covet your prayers. Laura
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Dear Friends,
One cold, winter night many years ago, Eileen let her dog, Junior, outside to take care of his needs. Normally, he would come right back to the door especially in cold weather. After a few minutes, Eileen noticed that he still had not returned. With a twinge of fear in her heart, she opened the door and called. No Junior. She stepped onto the deck and peered into the darkness. No Junior.

Eileen drove the car around the trailer park searching for her pet. Ron walked across the street to the common area. He was hoping that Junior was sniffing around the clubhouse or exploring the playground. No Junior. Eileen returned long enough to find out that her little dog was still gone and drove away again. Ron came back inside and we prayed.

The temperature was just a few degrees above freezing. Junior gets cold so easily, that we were afraid that if we didn’t find him quickly, he would freeze to death. When Eileen again returned empty-handed, Ron and I decided that we would give it a try. Bundling up against the cold night air, we got into the car and rolled down the window so nothing would obstruct our view. Shining Ron’s work flashlight out of the window, I checked between each trailer as Ron drove slowly along. We saw several big dogs wandering around and a few prowling cats, but no Junior. We went out of the trailer park and began hunting along the road. No Junior. Finally, we gave up.

It was 1:30 AM by this time. When Eileen saw that we had not found him, she was ready to try again. Knowing that it was not safe for a lone woman to be out driving around at night, we convinced her to stay inside. We then went to bed. Eileen put Junior’s bed and blanket outside by the door. She spent her time praying earnestly for her little pet. She could not sleep. Every few minutes, she opened the door to see if Junior had come home.

Finally, two hours later, she found him huddled on his bed. Grabbing him up with joy, she brought the shivering animal inside. The dog was dirty and smelly after his adventure, so she gave him a bath before going to bed.

Just as Eileen’s entire focus was on finding Junior, so all Heaven’s focus is to “seek and to save [the] lost.” Luke 19:10 In chapter 15 of this same book, our Dear Saviour explains the earnestness with which he seeks. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” 15:4-10

Just as our Loving Redeemer seeks for us, so we are to seek for others who have strayed from His loving presence. He commands, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt 28:19,20 Paul advises, “Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim 4:2 We must warn and teach the unsearchable riches of Christ to those around us with more earnestness and persistence than we had in searching for Junior. Indeed, eternal consequences are involved in how we obey this command.

Let us “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10 Let us study God’s Holy Word, that we may share it with others. Let us and those we have brought to Jesus exclaim at His appearing, “Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9

Rose