DCLM Daily Manna, Sunday January 24, 2016 by Pastor Kumuyi

Topic: Focus On Your Goal [Sunday January 24, 2016]

Text: 2 Kings 2:1-6

Key Verse: "And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on" (2 Kings 2:6).

Things that are significant, enduring and greatly beneficial, do not usually come easily. They demand hard work, dedication and focus.

They require that you are painstaking, single-minded and shun all distractions, even when you do not fully understand how your objective will be achieved. Prophet Elijah had known that his ministry on earth was coming to an end. Years earlier, he had, at God's command, appointed Elisha, a successful farmer, to assist him. God knew that Elijah had trained him enough, and that Elisha would continue with the work begun by Elijah. Yet, Elijah did not presumptuously hand over power to Elisha. He decided to put him to test to see if he was prepared for the task ahead. As his departure approached, he initiated a journey from Gilgal, first to Bethel, then to Jericho, and eventually to Jordan. From the beginning, he sought to discourage Elisha from embarking on the journey with him. But he would not be dissuaded.

Even the students in the training school for prophets, the so-called "sons of the prophets" also keep taunting him about the imminent departure of his master. But if they thought that would discourage him, they too were disappointed. Elisha himself knew that his boss was about to go to heaven, and he had a goal in mind: to receive the final blessing of his master. So, he was unflinching in his resolve, as "they two went on" the journey.

Heaven is the goal of all genuine Christians. Therein lies the blessings untold which God our Father has prepared for us. But in the journey to heaven, we would run into disappointments, discouragements and distractions. But whatever we experience in life, we must focus on getting there. We must live righteously, obey God completely and serve Him fervently as He commands.

Thought for the day: Set your mind on a goal, and the sky will truly be your starting point.

Bible Reading in one Year: Exodus 26-29

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.