“… so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.” (Zechariah 8:13)
Again this year as is the custom, millions of Americans will have the privilege of sitting down to a fine Thanksgiving dinner. We will not only have a more than adequate plateful of food, we will most likely go back for seconds. Chances are, we may even have the opportunity in days to follow to enjoy the leftovers. Some might allow their minds to drift between the big meal and the football games to take stock of their blessings or perhaps offer a word of gratitude during a prayer before dinner. How would your attitude be different if you were at home after a lengthy hospitalization or from serving in a foreign land and were now able to join at the dining room table with those loving, familiar faces you call family? What if you were recently at the soccer game, rock concert, or one of those cafés in Paris where the terrorists attacked, but you were fortunate to escape unscathed from that near-death experience? How blessed might you then feel? If you were a loved one of one of these individuals, you might very well echo the words of the Apostle Paul: “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God” (Philippians 1:3).
As the ministry of the great prophet Elijah was coming to an end, another prophet Elisha joined him as his servant. Elisha faithfully followed Elijah even though Elijah commanded him more than once to stay behind. Near the end of Elijah’s life, he said to Elisha: “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” Elisha responded, “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit” (2 Kings 2:8-9). Elisha’s request was to be considered as Elijah’s successor and bring deliverance to his people. He hoped that he might be empowered with the same Spirit. It was not Elijah’s to give; it could only be fulfilled by God (2 Kings 2:10). So he was faithful to Elijah until his time came to an end. Through his passionate service, Elisha was actually serving God’s purposes in preparing him to do even greater works than Elijah. In asking for the “double blessing” – Elisha was not doing so out of selfish motives. He was asking so that he could accomplish more for God.
Blessings can show up at the most unexpected times. The famous Reformed Baptist minister, Charles Spurgeon, once told the story about once being robbed on the streets of London. When he arrived home and shared his tale, he said “Well, thank the Lord anyway.” His wife countered, “Thank the Lord that somebody stole your money?” “No, my dear,” answered her husband. “First, I’m thankful the robber just took my money, not my life. Secondly, I’m thankful I had left most of our money home and he didn’t really rob me of much. Thirdly, I’m thankful to God that I was not the robber.” Spurgeon had a true understanding of the words from 1 Peter 3:9: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
The prophet Elisha and the preacher Spurgeon function to remind us that as we go through our journey, we can’t allow our situation to blind us of the mission ahead. It sometimes becomes easier in life to focus on the things which we do not have rather than to praise God for what He has provided. Vance Havner said: “Too many Christians are stuffing themselves with Gospel blessings while millions have never had a taste.” So as we gorge ourselves at this year’s Thanksgiving table – let us also take pause to count our blessings, even if they seem to be few in number. We may come to appreciate that in fact He has blessed us more abundantly than we ever thought possible, equipping us in turn to be a blessing to others. For when we come to that realization, we can be certain that we have received a double portion . . . in life and for service.
REFLECTION: When is the last time you reflected on your blessings? In what ways has God continued to bless you throughout your life? Are you being faithful with the blessings He has provided? When you sit down to dinner this Thanksgiving, think of ways that you might become fervent about your blessings. Consider how you might share a portion of what God has given you with others who are spiritually hungry and “have never had a taste.”
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