A Double Portion…

In the final minutes of 2018 and the first minutes of 2019, my wife, Lou Ann, and I had the TV on in our bedroom for no particular reason; it just was on as we were preparing to go to bed after enjoying our time together sitting on our patio and roasting marshmallows. I had earlier in the evening thought we would start the New Year with a time in the Scripture but time had passed quickly. Only glancing at the TV, I realized what I was seeing and hearing – a message perfectly timed as only the Lord can do – an archived message not originally broadcast for welcoming in a new year, yet a message orchestrated for this exact moment by the One who stands above time.

The message was from 2 Kings when Elijah was coming to the end of his ministry and he had already called Elisha as his successor. On their final journey together, “After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. (2 Kings 9)

What a perfect Word for 2019; that we would ask for things of eternal worth, for things in the Spirit, for things more precious than silver or gold, for things needed to be servants of the Most High God, for things that can only come from Almighty God in Christ Jesus; that we should ask for a double portion of the Spirit of God.

There are other places in the Bible where a double portion is either a repayment for theft or as the inheritance of the first-born son. A thief is to repay double the amount stolen, both as a penalty and to restore the injured party – a perfect picture of the punishment of Satan and the complete restoration of all who receive salvation in Christ Jesus, being made whole and receiving the inheritance of the first-born son.

There will be many challenges and victories ahead in 2019 but I can think of no better prayer than to ask the Father for a double portion of His anointing and power as we go about “the Father’s business.”

Luke 11: 9”So I tell you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Matthew 6: 3 ”But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

Ron Kidwell, President