And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? - II Kings 2:14.

The great object to be desired is God, Jehovah, Elijah's God. With him all things flourish. His absence is our decline and death. Those entering on any holy work should seek for the God who was with their predecessors. What a mercy that the God of Elijah is also the God of Elisha! He will also be with us, for "this God is our God, for ever and ever, he will be our guide even unto death" (Ps. 48:14).

In great difficulties no name will help but that of God. How else can Jordan be divided but by Jehovah, God of Elijah?

Elisha sought first for the Lord, and inquired, "Where is he?" Elijah was gone, and he did not seek him, but his God.

He used Elijah's old mantle, and did not invent novelties; desiring to have the aid of the same God, he was content to wear the mantle of his predecessor. The true is not new.

Still we do not need antiquities from the past, nor novelties of the present, nor marvels for the future; we only want the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and we shall then see among us wonders equal to those of Elijah's age. "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" The old mantle, used with faith in the same God, parted the waters hither and thither. The power is where it used to be.

I. THE QUESTION TURNED INTO PRAYER. It is as though he cried, — "O thou, who wast with Elijah, be thou also with me!" At this day our one need is Elijah's God.

1. The God who kept him faithful must make us stand firm should we be left alone in the truth (1 Cor. 1:8).

2. The God who heard his prayer must give us also the effectual in-wrought prayer of the righteous man (James 5:16).

3. The God who provided for him at Cherith and Zarephath, and in the wilderness, must also supply all our needs (Ps. 23:1).

4. The God who raised the dead by him must cause us to bring men up from their death in sin (1 Kings 17:22).

5. The God who answered by fire must put life, energy, and enthusiasm into our hearts (I Kings 18:38).

6. The God who gave him food for a long journey must fit us for the pilgrimage of life, and preserve us to the end (1 Kings 19:8).

7. The God who gave him courage to face kings must also make us very bold, so as to be free from the fear of man (1 Kings 21:20).

8. The God who divided Jordan for the prophet will not fail us when we are crossing into our Canaan (2 Kings 2:8). 9. The God who took him away in a chariot of fire will send a convoy of angels, and we shall enter into glory.

II. THE QUESTION ANSWERED. The Lord God of Elijah is not dead, nor sleeping, nor on a journey.

1. He is still in heaven regarding his own reserved ones. They may be hidden in caves, but the Lord knoweth them that are his.

2. He is still to be moved by prayer to bless a thirsty land.

3. He is still able to keep us faithful in the midst of a faithless generation, so that we shall not bow the knee to Baal.

4. He is still in the still small voice. Quietly he speaks to reverent minds: by calm and brave spirits he is achieving his purposes.

5. He is still reigning in providence to overturn oppressors (1 Kings 21:18-19), to preserve his own servants (2 Kings 1:10), and to secure a succession of faithful men (1 Kings 19:16).

6. He is coming in vengeance. Hear ye not his chariot-wheels? He will bear away his people, but, sorely, O ye unbelievers! shall ye rue the day wherein ye cried in scorn, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?"

· Oh, to be so engaged that we can court the presence of God!

· Oh, to be so consecrated that we may expect his benediction!

· Oh, to have that presence, so as to be girded with his strength!

· Oh, to live so as never more to ask this question!