2 KINGS 2:1, 11: And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a
whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. Then it happened, as they continued on and talked,
that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah
went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Eagles have an interesting flight pattern. Instead of fleeing the winds of stormy weather, they turn to
face them. The same winds that blow others away are used by these magnificent birds to lift them
higher.
A storm lifted Elijah into the presence of God. Traveling from Gilgal with his disciple Elisha, he was
forewarned by the sons of the prophets in Bethel, and again in Jericho, that this was the day God
would take him away.
But instead of fleeing from this potentially frightening possibility, the prophet continued on, content to
let God have His will. When they crossed over the Jordan River, a chariot of fire separated Elisha
from his master, and a whirlwind lifted Elijah up and away.
The roaring winds of a desert storm, which normally brought destruction, became for Elijah the
vehicle by which God elevated him into heaven.
When life’s whirlwinds blow through our lives, we have a choice. We can focus on our trials and
troubles, or we can use the whirlwind to be lifted up before the Lord in prayer and praise. What others
see as a deadly devastation can become that which draws us more completely into God’s presence.
Don’t run away from the storms of life. They may be God’s method of bringing you closer to Him.
Instead, spread your wings of prayer and praise. Consider the winds of strife as opportunities to be
lifted closer to the Lord.
DON’T LET YOUR TRIALS BLOW YOU DOWN; LET THEM LIFT YOU UP.