Juniper Tree

1
Juniper Tree

• Are you at your Juniper tree?
• 1 Kings 191-4
• August 22 - PM

2
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

3
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

4
Causes of Despondency

• Causes of being despondent
• Exhaustion He ran 18 miles left his servant
  and ran some more
• Emotional Drain Fugitive, lives in fear, feels
  relief when he is caught
• Loneliness World is against him, no support, no
  help, no place to turn
• Idleness Stop, give up, sit and dwell on his
  problems

5
Result of Despondency

• Gods servant becomes useless to God, to
  others
• The despondent have nothing to offer
• Family
• Friends
• Church
• God

6
Cure for the Despondent

• Patience
• God does not scold or chide Elijah
• God offers food, protection, support
• Honest Look What are you doing here?
• Gods Presence Fire, wind, earthquake, still
  small voice

7
Cure for the Despondent

• Fellowship We need each other, we are not
  alone
• Work to do Arise and go

8
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.