The Juniper Tree
I have never slept under a tree before, as far as I can remember, but I am sure, if I was sleepy enough, it would be a great place to be refreshed in it's shade. That is what Elijah did in I Kings 19. He had run from Jezebel out of his exhaustion and the resulting depression, when she threatened to kill him after his great victory at Mount Carmel. It is amazing that the one who called down fire from Heaven to defeat the prophets of Baal would run from a woman. However, that is what exhaustion and depression will do to a person, no matter how strong a Christian he or she is. Therefore, we must all be wary of this trap.
There is always something to do when a person is ministry minded. There are people to see, passages to study, places to go. All of these things are on top of the personal needs and family needs. It is easy to get worn out. When that happens, it is not wise to press on. It is prudent to lay down under the Juniper tree like Elijah. God even sent an angel to feed him before He tried to talk to him. God knew that Elijah needed that refreshing.
How about you? Do you need a Juniper tree today? What about a nice soft bed or a good, healthy meal? Sometimes, those are the most spiritual things a person can do. If not, the flesh will not be able to respond to the Spirit in the right way. The mind will not be led by the Spirit as well, and spiritual failure will be the result. God does not want that, so He leads us to rest. I pray that all of us will know when we need that Juniper tree, so we can continue to live in victory instead of fear and failure.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 21-22 and Luke 23:26-56.
There is always something to do when a person is ministry minded. There are people to see, passages to study, places to go. All of these things are on top of the personal needs and family needs. It is easy to get worn out. When that happens, it is not wise to press on. It is prudent to lay down under the Juniper tree like Elijah. God even sent an angel to feed him before He tried to talk to him. God knew that Elijah needed that refreshing.
How about you? Do you need a Juniper tree today? What about a nice soft bed or a good, healthy meal? Sometimes, those are the most spiritual things a person can do. If not, the flesh will not be able to respond to the Spirit in the right way. The mind will not be led by the Spirit as well, and spiritual failure will be the result. God does not want that, so He leads us to rest. I pray that all of us will know when we need that Juniper tree, so we can continue to live in victory instead of fear and failure.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 21-22 and Luke 23:26-56.