Daily Devotional for Friday, April 11

Elijah Alongside of a Field

“So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him,” 1 Kings 19:19.

In our key verses, we find Elijah at a pivotal moment in his journey of faith. Having experienced the power of God on Mount Carmel, Elijah found himself beside a field where his next chapter unfolded. As Elijah walked by the field, he saw Elisha plowing with the last pair of twelve yoke of oxen. Elisha was diligently tending to his work, committed to the task at hand. But when Elijah approached, he did something unexpected: he cast his mantle upon Elisha, symbolizing a divine call to ministry.

Elisha’s response was immediate and wholehearted. He left his oxen behind, ran after Elijah, and declared his intention to follow him. But before he did, he made a significant gesture: he sacrificed his oxen and fed the people, showing his complete surrender to God’s call. This encounter between Elijah and Elisha teaches us valuable lessons about obedience, surrender and the call to discipleship. Like Elisha, we may find ourselves in the midst of our daily tasks when God’s call interrupts our plans. It may come unexpectedly, but when it does, our response is crucial.

Elisha’s willingness to leave everything behind demonstrated a radical obedience to God’s call. Elisha did not hesitate; he responded with urgency and intentionality. His actions remind us that following God often requires leaving our comfort zones and embracing His purposes wholeheartedly. 

Furthermore, Elisha’s act of sacrifice symbolized the cost of discipleship. He did not just leave his old life behind; he sacrificed it entirely, demonstrating his commitment to God’s kingdom. 

DAILY CHALLENGE

As we reflect on Elijah and Elisha’s encounter alongside the field, may we be convicted to respond to God’s commands with obedience, surrender and sacrificial devotion.

Steven Ridings