“Elijah went over to him (Elisha) and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away.” 1 Kings 19:19 (NLT)

January 20th of each year is a day of deep reflection for me. It’s the anniversary of my mother’s passing. This year I paused to ponder the legacy she left.

Every day that passes takes us a step closer to eternity. For the believer, it is an eternity spent in Heaven with God as described in John 14:2-3. For those who have not accepted God’s gift of salvation, it is an eternity away from God, as described in Matthew 25:41.

While we are here on earth, we are each building a legacy that will remain after we are gone. That legacy is a sum total of who we are and what we believe; both as we say with our lips and as we show by our actions.

Consider the life of Elijah who we first meet in 1 Kings 17:1, as he addressed King Ahab. Elijah prophesied a drought that would last for years, until “…he gave the word….” After he spoke in obedience to God, God led him to the brook of Kerith (Cherith) where he drank water and was fed by ravens.

The brook eventually dried up and God led Elijah to the home of a poor widow at Zarephath. In obedience to God, the woman used the last of her flour and oil to prepare a meal for Elijah, and as a result, she was blessed with an abundant supply of flour and oil.

Some time later the woman’s son became ill and Elijah remembering her kindness, prayed to God, and the boy was resurrected. In response to the miracle, the woman declared: “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.” 1 Kings 17:24.

In 1 Kings 18 we see Elijah in ‘the contest at Mount Carmel’ in which he challenged Ahab and the prophets of Baal, saying; “If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” Elijah instructed them to build an altar of sacrifice, place a bull on the altar, and then call upon Baal to send fire to consume the sacrifice. Baal’s prophets prepared the sacrifice and called upon Baal for most of the day but received no reply.

In the evening Elijah rebuilt the altar of the Lord and prepared the sacrifice. He instructed the people to saturate the altar and sacrifice with water, and then he called upon the name of the Lord, and according to 1 Kings 18:38, “Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench!”

“When all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, ‘The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!'” 1 Kings 18:39

Elijah later prayed for rain, and “…a heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm….” 1 Kings 18:45

Ahab returned to Jazreel and informed Jezebel that Elijah had killed all the prophets of Baal. Jezebel sent a message to Elijah vowing to kill him. Elijah the same prophet who believed God to shut the heavens for 3 years, and who watched God rain fire down to consume the sacrifice, ran to Sinai in fear of Jezebel.

I love that this is included in the Bible, because it reminds us that, “Elijah was a man with human frailties, just like all of us, but he prayed and received supernatural answers.” The secret to Elijah’s amazing abilities, was his communion/communication with God.

Have you been yearning for the ability to demonstrate or show out the power (life of Christ) that resides within you? It’s simple, do like Elijah did, pray.

While hiding in a cave Elijah met with God then he got up and continued his mission. He went to Elisha, anointed him, then placed his cloak upon him.

I want to encourage those who are currently ‘running from a Jezebel’, to pause and pray, just like Elijah did in the same situation. Trust your Abba Father, He already sees and knows everything, so be open and honest as you talk with Him.

In 2 Kings 2, Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind and he drops his mantle (cloak) for Elisha who receives a double portion of Elijah’s anointing and becomes his successor.

Elijah is seen as a man of God who walked in the power and authority of God. He spoke with authority before the king, destroyed those who cursed the name of God, blessed the widow who blessed him and brought her dead son back to life. God answered when Elijah prayed and held back the rain, then rained down fire from heaven.

Elijah’s mantle represented the legacy that he left behind for Elisha. When the prophets saw Elisha they recognized that, “Elijah’s spirit rested upon Elisha!” 2 Kings 2:15.

As we live, let us be conscious that we are building a legacy. Timothy’s mother Eunice, and his Grandmother Lois, left him a legacy of faith, as Paul stated in 2 Timothy 1:5, “I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.” Eunice and Lois left a lasting legacy that helped to make Timothy into the person that he was.

Like Lois and Eunice, my mother, Claire left a legacy of fervent faith. I can still recall being awakened at night as she anointed my head, prayed for me, and declared God’s Word over my life.

I remember seeing her weeping before God, face down on the living room carpet, over one of my siblings who was far from God. Months later I witnessed the same sibling weeping face down on the same carpet, as he recommitted his life to God.

As with Elijah, Claire’s life taught me that Jehovah God whom she served is indeed the true and living God. She also taught my siblings and me to walk in the power and authority of God: to think big, in accordance with the limitlessness of the Kingdom of Heaven, to wholeheartedly pursue purpose with passion, and to trust God to guide our steps as He works out all of the details.

I want to pause and give those who have not yet acknowledged the Lordship of Christ an opportunity to do so. Just say, ‘God of Elijah, Lois, Eunice and Claire, I am sorry for my sin, please forgive me, cleanse me, and make me your child. I commit my life to you today and ask you to be my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.’

The effects of a legacy are long-lasting and may even have eternal consequences. The legacy we leave, whether positive or negative will have long-lasting effects on those who come after us. Let us take a moment to reflect on our own lives with the help of the Holy Spirit, and determine whether our lives are pointing people to Christ, or in some other direction.

What legacy are you leaving? Would you be pleased if those in your lineage followed in your footsteps, if your spirit rested up on them?

If you’re looking for some pointers on how you can leave a legacy of fervent faith, the Bible is full of them, but I’ve always viewed Hebrews 12:1-2a, as the Christ follower’s guide to leaving a legacy.

“Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. Hebrews 12:1-2a (AMPC)”

Abba Father, I pray for your children reading this post. May they each truly consider the impact and influence they have on the generations that follow. By your Holy Spirit give wisdom, direction, clear sight, and the discipline to make the necessary adjustments. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. We would love to hear about your journey, and if you just became a child of God, we have some resources to share with you. Please leave a comment or use the Contact Us form to connect with us.

If this post blessed you, please consider sharing QC within your sphere, and check the box: “Notify me of new posts by email” to be among the first to receive new QC posts.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3 16 (NLT)