When God Takes Away, He also Gives

“ 11 And as [Elijah and Elisha] went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, ‘My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. 13 And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, ‘Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?’ And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.”

2 Kings 2:11-14

The last several weeks have felt very long. I feel like I’ve internally aged significantly in a short amount of time—more worn down by the world and all that is happening in it than before. In the midst of all the adjustments, it is hard not to reflect on all that has been taken away in this season. Health, financial security, work/life balance, in person community time with the church family, celebrating life events together, caring for loved ones and our neighbors in person—the list goes on for us all.

During the time when the kings of Israel and Judah reigned, God took something precious away from the prophet Elisha—a deeply beloved mentor and teacher. Elijah had not merely trained Elisha, but he lived life closely with him. He showed him how amazing God is and how acting in faith and obedience makes a real and transformative difference in the world. And all of a sudden in a whirlwind, Elijah was gone. God had taken him up into His presence. Elisha was stunned with a sense of loss. Like us, he knew God is in control and that His love endures. But how did he (and how can we) respond to a really hard season when God took some things (even good things) away? In the midst of loss, we can be:

Amazed.

The fire and chariots that came before Elijah was taken away symbolized God’s power. The most powerful weapons of war in that day, these chariots were unlike any earthly kind. They represented how God had used Elijah to mightily fight against the idolatry rampant among God’s people. In a similar way, God is using this season to remind us that all the things we feared in this world because of their power do not have power like God’s. At the end of the day, He alone holds the world in His hands and fights for His people.

Grieved.

Elisha missed his dear mentor and friend. He mourned this loss for himself and for God’s people in an expressive way. He tore his clothes—a deeply emotional way to show intense grief. Elisha knew Elijah was with the Lord and that God was using this for His glory and for the people’s good, but he still took the time to mourn. God restructured the lives of His people in Israel, and He is doing so now in our lives. Such change can be shocking, and it is okay to take some space and time to grieve in the midst of it.

Reliant upon God.

While Elisha mourned his loss, he didn’t stay in grief permanently. He trusted that the same God who commanded Elijah and the chariots of fire was His God too. He remembered that this same God called him to minister to those around him and that even as God takes away, he also generously gives faith and strength to His servants. Elisha took up Elijah’s mantle (literally grabbed his cloak) to continue ministering to the people, but he didn’t try to muster up his own strength to do so. Rather, he asked God to reveal His power through him. On the banks of the Jordan, Elisha asked in faith, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” God showed up in parting the waters of the river, reminding Elisha of His powerful deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. Elisha could go forward having just grieved because God was his strength and guide.

In this season, we too can be amazed at God’s sovereignty and power, grieve the loss of things He has taken away, and continue in reliance upon Him as he gives us the faith and strength to live for Him and serve those around us. Lord, help us to see how You are working in power. Even as we and the world experience loss, help us to see how You are fighting for us. Help us to grieve. Help us to not be trapped by that grief but to ask for You to make Yourself known through us. May we be ready to do Your work as You give us power to walk in faith and obedience at this time. Amen.

-Lisa Chaderjian, member at City on a Hill Brookline