No Retreat! No Surrender!

Daily Devotional – Thursday, February 10, 2022

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant

1 Kings 19:21 (NIV)

One of the greatest demonstration of commitment to a course is the action Julius Caesar took when his army invaded Britain. Once his soldiers landed on the coast of Britain, Caesar commanded his aides to burn all the ships that had ferried the army. This was a deliberate measure to ensure the soldiers had no room for surrender. There was only one option left – to fight and conquer the land. Retreating was not an option. Caesar’s trick worked. The Roman soldiers conquered Britain.

No Retreat or Surrender for Elisha

Commitment is important in the spiritual world just as in the military arena. Take the example of Elisha. When Prophet Elijah came to the end of his ministry, God commanded him to appoint Elisha the new prophet of Israel.

At the time of his calling, Elisha was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen. Elisha asked Elijah for time to bid goodbye to his family. The older man wondered, “Go back? What have I done to you?” (1 Kings 19:20).

He Took His Yoke of Oxen and Slaughtered Them

Now, notice what Elisha did:

“So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.” (1 Kings 19:21).

For Elisha, there would be no retreat or surrender. He made a meal out of his oxen with the ploughing equipment providing fuel. No longer would he be a farmer. Elisha would be committed fully to his new calling. He made sure his family and community understood his decision.

A Full-time Profession

Christianity is a full-time profession. When we make up our minds to carry the cross of Christ, we must have no reasons for turning back. When we lack full commitment, we turn back whenever we experience challenges.

Which ‘ships’ do you need to burn for you to follow Jesus fully? Do you have ‘oxen’ and ‘yokes’ of friendships, relationships, businesses, habits or cultures that are hindering you from committing fully to Jesus Christ?

Lord Jesus Christ, empower me to cut links with the anything and anyone that prevent me from committing fully to Your call.