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.