HOW TO REMAIN FOCUSED IN THE PRESENCE OF DISTRACTIONS
2 Kings 2: 1-3: 2 And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel. 3 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”
Now when the Lord was ready to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way to Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel, but Elisha said “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Bethel. The sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” He said “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”2Kings 2:1-3.
When you have an expectation from God you cannot allow distractions. Elisha had an expectation of a double portion of the Spirit that was on Elijah, Elijah was to be removed from the earth, and he tested Elisha’s dedication by asking him to stay back and wait while he went where God was sending him. Elisha had the fortitude of character and commitment to say no I’m going wherever you go. There must be full dedication and commitment to your expectations in order to receive from God that which you need. Another word for expectation is hope and the scriptures say “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews11:1, think on this for a while, it seems improbable. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. How can there be evidence/certainty of things not seen? Faith defies logic and sometimes can make you look crazy but you have to remain focused and stand firm on your expectations. There will be tests but you have to tell yourself nothing will keep me from my blessing, even when the sons of the prophets tried to discourage him, Elisha refused to be distracted by their words, in fact he told them just be quiet, you have to silence the detractors, say “I already know what you’re trying to inform me about”.
We have to be focused on God and what we desire from God as we commit and focus, that which we desire will manifest and become our reality. Faith means despite outward circumstances and discouraging words from people, even those we respect and love, because most of the time they don’t know, nor understand what you’re believing for, your dreams, vision and desire to effect change through your partnership with God, so they say and do things meaning well but totally out of sync with your heart so you just can’t give up. Sometimes it may take you into places you’ve never gone before but like Elisha, if you trust God and stay focused God Himself will bring you back from those strange and far out places, he’ll make a way and give the victory demonstrating his glory through you. Elisha got what he desired and those who had information but took no action, those who had Logos but no Rhema were still in their safe place with no power but Elisha had the power of God at his disposal.
Pray: God give me the strength and courage to shut out distractions and well meaning negative words that are against your purpose for my life. Give me the discernment and wisdom to know and embrace what comes from you and reject what is not from you, in Jesus name teach me to walk in your glory and cause me to carry the atmosphere of grace and heaven that I may minister to this generation in which you’ve placed me. Amen.
Contributed by Pastor John Drayton, NCIC, MA
