juniper tree are you at your juniper tree? 1 kings 19:1-4 august 22 - pm
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Juniper Tree
Are you at your Juniper tree?
1 Kings 19:1-4
August 22 - PM
Background
• Elijah won a great victory at Mt. Carmel• Baal and 450 prophets defeated• Jezebel is angry – seeks to kill him• He runs for his life until exhausted• The juniper tree is where he gives up• This tree symbolizes being despondent
Causes of Despondency
• Elijah had his 15 minutes of fame at Mt. Carmel when he defeated Baal
• Now he is:• Threatened with his life• Afraid – running scared• Ready to give up
Causes of Despondency
• Causes of being despondent:• ExhaustionExhaustion – He ran 18 miles – left his
servant – and ran some more• Emotional DrainEmotional Drain – Fugitive, lives in fear,
feels relief when he is caught• LonelinessLoneliness – World is against him, no
support, no help, no place to turn• IdlenessIdleness – Stop, give up, sit and dwell on
his problems
Result of Despondency
• God’s servant – becomes useless – to God, to others
• The despondent have nothing to offer:• Family• Friends• Church• God
Cure for the Despondent
• PatiencePatience• God does not scold or chide Elijah• God offers food, protection, support
• Honest LookHonest Look – “What are you doing here?”
• God’s PresenceGod’s Presence – Fire, wind, earthquake, still small voice
Cure for the Despondent
• FellowshipFellowship – We need each other, we are not alone
• Work to doWork to do – Arise and go
Have been to this tree?
• Have you been sitting under your juniper tree?
• Are you despondent, ready to give up?• God cured Elijah.• God offers the same cure to us.
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