Carrying the Torch

Posted by Dion Todd June 17th, 2024 1,457 Views 24 Comments

Moses was a mighty man of God who performed incredible miracles and even parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could cross over on dry land. But there came a day when his work was done, and it was time for someone else to take over. That person was Joshua, and the Lord used him to lead the Israelites into the promised land

(Joshua 1:1–2 NKJV) After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.

(Joshua 1:5 NKJV) No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

The Lord uses people in every generation of history. For every great person, the Lord is already preparing someone to take their place, just as Joshua did with Moses. When Elijah was on the run from the murderous Jezebel, he thought he was the last of the faithful, but the Lord had reserved 7,000 others.

(1 Kings 19:13–14 NKJV) So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" And he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."

(1 Kings 19:15–18 NKJV) Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

Even then, the Lord had an Elisha ready to take Elijah the prophet's place. This has always been the way. The mantle falls to a servant in the next generation. It is always difficult to see our mentors pass on, but we should be taking up their mantle, carrying the torch. Moses was an amazing man, but that was then, and like Joshua, we are here for such a time as this.

There is a tendency to limit God's power to our experience, which has led to some horrendous errors and teachings. The characters in the Bible are provided as examples for us. The things they did, we can still do.

Some don't believe in healing because they have never seen anyone healed. Some don't believe in deliverance because they have never experienced it, but those that have certainly believe it, and you will not take that away from them.

It is the same with spiritual gifts. The Apostle Paul said it this way:

(1 Corinthians 12:1 NKJV) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant

Ignorant means: "lacking knowledge or awareness." Paul continues on:

(1 Corinthians 12:8–11 NKJV) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The Lord spreads spiritual gifts through the body of Christ to strengthen the body as a whole. I have heard teachings that said spiritual gifts like these passed away with the last Apostle, but that teaching was created by someone who was "ignorant." The Bible reveals the exact opposite:

(John 14:15–18 NKJV) "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

I was once ignorant about spiritual gifts myself, but I saw the light and learned to flow with the Holy Spirit, which changed my life. I love spiritual gifts and am thankful that He did not allow me to write any books while in my ignorant state, for I was totally in the dark.

The Holy Spirit will be with us forever, and He will continue to give spiritual gifts to those who love Jesus Christ as long as He is. In fact, during the last days, God will pour His Spirit out on all flesh:

(Acts 2:17–18 NKJV) 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

If it is in the Bible, then it can happen again today, except for the great flood during Noah's time, which God said He would not do again. Donkeys didn't talk until one did (Numbers 22:28). Peter didn't walk on water until he did (Matthew 14:29).

(2 Timothy 3:1–5 NKJV) But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Ignorance is not bliss but weakening to the body of Christ. Fortunately, it can be cured. Stupidity cannot. Will we carry the torch? Will we love Jesus and keep His commandments so that the Holy Spirit will come and abide with us forever? Will we use the gifts like those who came before us?

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for another day. I love You, Lord. Please fill me with Your Spirit and teach me to use the gifts You have put in my life. Make what is important to You important to me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!