Prophets of Baal on mount Carmel

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers--1 Kings 19:4

 

Shortly before uttering these words, Elijah had engaged the prophets of Baal on mount Carmel to determine the true God. As a result, the prophets of Baal were slain (1 Kings 18:17-40). Jezebel sends word to Elijah that she is going to kill him and Elijah, fearing for his life flees (1 Kings 19:1-4). Now, we find this prophet of God. who once had the courage to face those prophets of Baal, sitting under a juniper tree, sad, lonely and dejected feeling sorry for himself. Elijah is at a point in his life that he is overwhelmed with discouragement and frustration over what seems to him a hopeless situation.

 

I wonder, what man or woman is there among us who has not been tempted to sit under that old juniper tree? Because of the weakness of our human frame we grow tired and weary as the burdens, cares and trials of this life envelope us from time to time. Living in this old world with it's trouble and strife, there will be moments when a feeling of weariness will sweep down over our soul making the temptation to sit under that juniper tree weigh heavily upon us.

 

We do not have to sit under that juniper tree.  We serve a God who loves us and has promised to never desert us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). We have an anchor for our souls that is sure and steadfast (Heb. 6:19). The Lord is our rock, our deliverer in whom we can take refuge (Psalms 18:2). When the storm clouds gather around us, when the wind blows, when we become tired and weary, we simply must remember that our Lord is with us and he is able to lift the load, bind up our weary hearts, heal all our wounds and give to us a peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7; John 14:27).

 

Charles Hicks