​Asking a Difficult Thing

Elisha has just learned that his mentor and father figure, Elijah, will soon be taken from him by the LORD:

      When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” 
    “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
    “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”
    As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. (2 Kings 2:9–12)


Elisha did see Elijah taken away, which was God’s sign to Elisha that he would be doubly blessed by the Holy Spirit. It makes me think we ask far too little from God. There are certain kinds of requests that God is pleased to grant. 

What are you asking for?