Our one job as a believer is the stay close to God.
The closer we are to Him the more He provides for us and protects us.
EX: Me w/my younger kids at the airport.
The Bible says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
God wants to be close to us - just like a good father wants to be close to his kids.
Jesus echoes this - “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5)
A branch on a vine stays really close - it wraps around it.
Jesus didn’t say, “I am a tree trunk, and you are the branches.”
We see a picture of this in the Old Testament.
Elijah had been the prophet and it was time for him to depart.
But he never died - a chariot of fire took him to heaven.
His predecessor, Elisha, desperately wanted his blessing before he left.
He specifically wanted a double portion of his spirit.
Elijah essentially said, “if you stay close to me you can get it!”
Vs 9-14 - Elisha got what he asked for!
Staying close to Elijah gave Elisha three things:
1) Provision - God provided for both prophets.
2) Protection - they were under God’s divine protection.
3) Power - Elisha received the mantle!
How do we stay close to God?
The same way we stay close to our spouse - communication!
You can be physically apart but talk all the time and you’ll be close.
You can live with each other but never talk and you won’t be close.
Talk to God and then listen to Him. How?
Bible
People
Creation
Circumstance
Inner Voice