“The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” (Jer. 1:12 NIV)

God keeps all promises in His Word, even in seemingly impossible ways!

Elisha’s amazing request

Just before the prophet Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind, his successor, Elisha, made an amazing request. He asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9). This request was granted when Elisha met Elijah’s one condition that he be present when he was taken up.

Number of miracles

If you count the number of miracles done by both men you will notice something truly amazing, Elisha died one miracle short of the number of miracles Elijah did. But, don’t stop counting! Be sure to read all the way to the end. (Hint. Death cannot stop God from fulfilling His promises).

The miracles in the lives of these two men summarized

Miracles in the career of Elijah:

1) Causing the rain the cease for 3 1/2 years (1 Kings 17:1)

2) Being fed by the ravens (1 Kings 17:4)

3) Miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1 Kings 17:14)

4) Resurrection of the widow's son (1 Kings 17:22)

5) Calling of fire from heaven on the altar (1 Kings 18:38)

6) Causing it to rain (1 Kings 18:45)

7) Prophecy that Ahab's sons would all be destroyed (1 Kings 21:22)

8) Prophecy that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs (1 Kings 21:23)

9) Prophecy that Ahaziah would die of his illness (2 Kings 1:4)

10) Calling fire from heaven upon the first fifty soldiers (2 Kings 1:10)

11) Calling fire from heaven upon the second fifty soldiers (2 Kings 1:12)

12) Parting of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:8)

13) Prophecy that Elisha should have a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:10)

14) Being caught up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11)

Miracles in the career of Elisha:

1) Parting of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:14)

2) Healing of the waters (2 Kings 2:21)

3) Curse of the she bears (2 Kings 2:24)

4) Filling of the valley with water (2 Kings 3:17)

5) Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2 Kings 3:22)

6) Miracle of the vessels of oil (2 Kings 4:4)

7) Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2 Kings 4:16)

8) Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:34)

9) Healing of the gourds (2 Kings 4:41)

10) Miracle of the bread (2 Kings 4:43)

11) Healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:14)

12) Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2 Kings 5:26)

13) Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2 Kings 5:27)

14) Floating of the axe head (2 Kings 6:6)

15) Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2 Kings 6:9)

16) Vision of the chariots (2 Kings 6:17)

17) Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2 Kings 6:18)

18) Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2 Kings 6:20)

19) Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2 Kings 7:1)

20) Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, but not partake of, the abundance (2 Kings 7:2)

21) Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2 Kings 7:6)

22) Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2 Kings 8:1)

23) Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2 Kings 8:10)

24) Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2 Kings 8:12)

25) Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:7)

26) Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2 Kings 13:17)

27) Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2 Kings 13:19)

The number of miracles at the time of the two prophet’s deaths

• Elijah: 14
• Elisha: 27

Elisha was one miracle short when he died

When Elisha died, it appeared as though he fell one miracle short in fulfilling the promise of doing double Elijah’s portion. But, wait! Death cannot stop what God is able to do! There is one more amazing surprise after Elisha’s death!

Read this incredible story!

“Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!” (2 Kings 13:21)

The last miracle is performed after Elisha is dead and buried!

28) Resurrection of the man touched by Elisha’s bones. 

God’s eternal Word stands firm!

“Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89 NIV)

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NASB)

Jesus was sent to bind up the brokenhearted and heal them

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners.” (Isa. 61:1 NASB)

“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3 NASB)

He sent his word to heal and deliver them 

“He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.” (107:20 NASB)

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion.” (Prov. 8:12 NASB)

Prudence: Careful, wise discernment; the avoidance of rash behaviour or speech; the good management of talents and resources and the showing of tact and wisdom in relationships with other people. The quality of being prudent. Wisdom, good judgment, common sense, sagacity, shrewdness, advisability, caution, care, providence, farsightedness, foresight, forethought, shrewdness, circumspection.

The prudent person carefully considers their steps

“Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.” (Prov. 14:15 NLT)

The prudent person acts with knowledge

“In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.” (Prov. 13:16 ESV)

A prudent person heeds reproof

“A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.” (Prov. 15:5 ESV)

A prudent wife is from the Lord

“House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” (Prov. 19:14 ESV)

A prudent person conceals dishonor

“A fool's anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor.” (Prov. 12:16 NASB)

The prudent person sees danger and hides himself

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” (Prov. 27:12 ESV)

The prudent person understand where they are going

“The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.” (Prov. 14:8 NLT)

A prudent person takes precautions

“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” (Prov. 22:3 NLT)

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Prov. 16:3 NIV)

Success comes from God, remember that!

“But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” (Deut. 8:18 NIV)

Pray, be thankful and be confident

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6 NIV)

Be faithful in little things

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:10-11 NIV)

Develop your work skills

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.” (Prov. 22:29 NASB)

God will strengthen and help you

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 NIV)

Therefore…

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” (Jer. 17:7 NIV)

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18 NIV)

Transformation is dramatic change

Transformation: a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance; alteration, conversion, metamorphosis, transfiguration, overhaul, remodel, reshape, redo, reconstruction, remake.

He transforms us in three areas: Spirit, soul (mind), and body

“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” (1 Thes 1:23 NLT)

Transformed in your spirit – when born again

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 NASB)

Transformed in your soul (mind) – a continuing process

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Transformed in your body – at His return

“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.  For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” (1 Cor. 15:51-53 NLT)

"For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” (Psalm 82:4 NASB)

Rejoice in all your undertakings

“There also you and your households shall eat before the LORD your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the LORD your God has blessed you.” (Deut. 12:7 NASB)

The upright in heart will glory

“The righteous man will be glad in the LORD and will take refuge in Him; And all the upright in heart will glory.” (Psalm 64:10 NASB)

You rejoice in your spirit

“And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 2:47 NASB)

Rejoice again and again and always

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4 NASB)

"You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:16 NASB)

He takes care of you!

When you look to God as your provider you will always feel secure. You won’t panic when trials come your way. You know that whatever happens He will take care of you.

“The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works”

“He sends forth springs in the valleys; They flow between the mountains; They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; They lift up their voices among the branches. He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works. He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine which makes man's heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man's heart. The trees of the LORD drink their fill, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted, Where the birds build their nests, And the stork, whose home is the fir trees. The high mountains are for the wild goats; The cliffs are a refuge for the shephanim.” (Psalms 104:10-18 NASB)

God’s “paths drip with fatness”

“You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it; The stream of God is full of water; You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth. You water its furrows abundantly, You settle its ridges, You soften it with showers, You bless its growth. You have crowned the year with Your bounty, And Your paths drip with fatness. The pastures of the wilderness drip, And the hills gird themselves with rejoicing. The meadows are clothed with flocks And the valleys are covered with grain; They shout for joy, yes, they sing.” (Psalm 65:9-13 NASB)

Therefore…

“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matt. 6:26 NASB)

Because…

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 NASB)

He surrounds you with favor

“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12 NASB)

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Prov. 4:7 NIV)

Call to God for His answers

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jer. 33:3 NIV)

Don’t depend on your own understanding

“A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.” (Prov. 21:2 NIV)

Whoever is patient has great understanding

“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” (Prov. 14:29 NIV)

God will instruct and teach you

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I  will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8 NIV)

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” (Prov. 15:1 NLT)

Usually when someone treats you badly, such as cutting you off in traffic, or in some other negative way such as speaking harshly to you, the first impulse is to react in kind. But, negative reactions only increase anger and leads to worse things. The best answer is to always react kindly and gently to negative situations. This is the example God has given us in His Son, Jesus, and is how we are to behave.

Clothe yourself with compassion

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Col. 3:12 NIV)

God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4 NASB)

Therefore…

“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt. 5:44-45 NIV)

And be blessed

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matt. 5:9 NLT)