TITLE: Juniper
Tree
TEXT: 1 Kings 19:1-4
PROPOSITION: Despondency is a serious problem.
QUESTION: Why?
KEY WORD: Facts
SCRIPTURE READING: Same
INTRODUCTION:
- Elijah won a great victory at Mt. Carmel – defeated Baal
- Jezebel seeks to kill him
- He runs until exhausted
- Juniper tree has come to represent being despondent
Cause of Despondency
- Elijah had his “15 minutes of fame” at Mt. Carmel
- Now threatened, afraid, ready to give up
- Causes:
- Exhaustion – ran about 18 miles – left servant
– ran some more
- Emotional drain – fugitive, live in fear,
Saddam glad to be caught
- Loneliness – world against him, no support, no
help
- Idleness – stop, give up, sit and think about
his problems
Nature and Result of Despondency
- God’s servant – becomes useless – to God or others
- The despondent have nothing to offer
- Family
- Friends
- Church
- God
God’s Care for the Despondent
- Patience
- God does not chide or scold
- God offers food, protection, and support
- Honest look – “What are you doing here?”
- God’s Presence – Fire, wind, earthquake, still
small voice
- Human fellowship – We need support, not feel all
alone
- Work to do – Arise and go