Do you know how many times the Bible reports a parting of the waters for the purpose of crossing to the other side? There are four times that we are told about. Most of us know the story of the first time: Moses led the Israelites through the Red Sea as the Egyptians chased after them. The second time Joshua was leading the people of God through the Jordan to the promised land. In both cases, there were thousands of people being rescued.

The third time there were only two people who were going to the other side, Elijah and Elisha. “Then Eliyahu [Elijah] took off his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it; and the water divided itself to the left and to the right; so that they crossed over on dry ground.” (2 Kings 2:8) Then a fiery chariot appeared and Elijah was taken up to heaven.

Suddenly Elisha was alone. He picked up the cloak that had fallen off Elijah, “struck the water and said, ‘Where is ADONAI [the Lord], the God of Eliyahu?’ But when he actually did strike the water, it divided itself to the left and to the right; then he crossed over.” (2 Kings 2:14)

You may be tempted to think the cloak had mystical power. You would be wrong. The power came from the Lord who was showing us that nothing will stand in His way. He made a way for the masses. He made a way for two and He made a way for just one. For Elisha, it was all the affirmation he needed to know he had received a double portion of the Spirit. 

Do you need to get to the other side of a bad situation? Pray Elisha’s request with the confidence that comes from trusting: “Please! Let a double share of your spirit be on me!” (2 Kings 2:10)