Eagle Eye
Today’s Verse:
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. ~2 Kings 2:12
Are you a person of focus? Do you find yourself getting easily distracted? A term that is used to describe a person who has focus is having an “eagle eye.” When we say, “He has an eagle eye,” we mean that a person has a keen focus on his objective and will not become easily distracted. Let us see how Elisha had an “eagle-eye” focus.
We see the request.
“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” The time of Elijah’s departure was very near. Elijah asked Elisha what one thing he wanted before Elijah departed. Elisha asked for something hard or seemingly impossible. He asked for a double portion of the spirit of Elijah for his life. He asked for double of what Elijah had. He asked for the portion of an inheritance that was given to the eldest son of a family. He asked for something bold and very big. Do you mean business with God when you pray? Do you have faith to pray for God to do something in your life that is unimaginable to others?
We see the requirement.
“And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.” Elijah told Elisha that what he requested was difficult, but available to him provided he fulfill one condition. That condition was, “If thou see me when I am taken from thee.” Elijah told him that he must be completely focused. Since Elisha did not know when Elijah would be taken from him, it was imperative that his focus on Elijah be with an eagle eye. He could not afford to be distracted for one moment. Focus is the difference between accomplishment and non-accomplishment. It is the difference between success and failure. It is the difference between gain and loss.
We see the resoluteness.
“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it….” Elisha stayed focused. He knew that any distraction on his part would result in the forfeit of his request. We must be disciplined in our focus. This means that we are steadfast and unmovable. We must be dependable in our focus. Our availability must never be brought into question. We must be defensive in our focus. This means that we do not allow anything to come between us and the desired goal. It was important that Elisha remained focused on Elijah’s fellowship, faith, and flight.
We see the reward.
“And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.” The one thing left behind after Elijah’s withdrawal was the prophet’s mantle. Elisha was now the possessor of the mantle. He needed to know if he had a double portion of the spirit of his mentor. He did! He smote the waters, and they parted hither and thither. He was rewarded for his focus! “If thou see me…. Elisha saw it”! Just like an eagle that keeps a steady eye on its prey and its surroundings, Elisha kept his eye on his master.
Be focused on running and winning the race. Be focused on exercising faith and asking great things of God. Be focused on the spiritual and not the temporal. Be focused!
Have an undistracted God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Job 11-13