The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Kings 2:9, “Now it came about when they had crossed over,

that Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Ask what I shall do for you before I

am taken from you.’ And Elisha said, ‘Please, let a double

portion of your spirit be upon me.’”

Persistence pays. Elijah and Elisha were in Gilgal. From there,

they went to Bethel; from Bethel to Jericho; from Jericho to

the Jordan River. Each time, Elijah told Elisha to stay put, but

Elisha persisted in sticking with him. Amazingly, all the prophets

along the way knew that Elijah as going to depart and be with

the LORD. Elisha knew it, too. And whatever was to occur, he

wanted to experience it.

Elijah parted the waters of the Jordan like Moses had parted

the waters of the Red Sea. He then turned to Elisha and

asked what he could do for him before he left the Earth.

Elisha was exceedingly bold and asked for a “double portion”

of Elijah’s spirit. When Elijah was taken into Heaven, he dropped

his mantle (a hairy robe that designated him a prophet of the

LORD). Elisha picked it up and struck the same waters with it,

and the waters parted for him as they had for Elijah. But did

Elisha receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit? Indeed he did!

Elijah in his lifetime performed seven miracles. Elisha performed

14!

What would have happened had Elisha stayed in Gilgal? Or what

would have happened if he had not had the courage to believe

he could receive that “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit? Always

be courageous! Always be bold in your faith! You may never

have the “hairy coat” of a prophet, but the LORD is your strength

in every situation. Trust! Believe! Ask! Receive! And do it all

for His glory! He will be to you what He was to Elisha.

Our love and trust for each of you,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”