Word for Today......ENOUGH!!!!!!!
Scripture: 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 away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 1 Kings 19:4
ENOUGH?!?!?!?!?!?
Have you ever been there? Just felt like screaming, "ENOUGH!" We all have, at one point or another, felt like we can't take it anymore and we have had ENOUGH! Elijah was at that point in his life and ministry. The ironic part of this is that he had just defeated 450 prophets of Baal through the power of God. However, there was one woman, Jezebel, who was wicked and determined to have Elijah killed just as the power of God had been manifested to slay those evil prophets. He ran and hid! That doesn't sound like the powerful Elijah we know. But the bible says that he ran from Jezebel and hid himself. On the journey into the wilderness he came to a juniper tree. He didn't want to commit suicide, but he felt like we often times feel, that he would rather die than suffer death at the hands of his enemy. Many times while on the journey of life we encounter enemies that have threaten our very livelihood, our finances, our family, our jobs, our emotional well being, our spiritual well-being, our happiness....the list goes on. But what Elijah felt was valid. We can assume that he didn't want to die to avoid doing the will of God, but that he was spiritually and emotionally at a dark place. Does that sound familiar? We have all been in that situation and have felt like we were at our wits end. Many times even after a great victory we feel like we are spiritual empty. It is one thing to fight for someone else, but it is another to fight for YOU. Many times we encourage others, but when we are at our lowest points we feel like we are out in the wilderness with no one but the coyotes. But the story doesn’t end with Elijah wanting to die and neither will it end with us in spiritual despair.
Elijah sat under the juniper tree and later verses indicate that he fell asleep. While under the juniper tree a refreshing took place. While under the juniper tree a renewal and strengthening took place. Research tells me that the juniper tree has an aroma that soothes and calms the muscles. Almost like aromatherapy! The juniper tree, when in full bloom gives an aroma that has been used to help with kidney problems, digestive problems, arthritis and chronic joint pain. Don’t you see how God sent Elijah to the juniper tree? Not only to the juniper tree but He sent his angels under the juniper tree to give Elijah nourishment. The bible says that the angels prepared a cake (which represents strength) and had water (which represents refreshing) waiting for him. He ate the cake and the water and went to sleep again. When he awoke the second time the same meal was there waiting on him. The angel told him to eat again for his journey ahead was too great. What does this say to us today? We have a place in God where he will send his angels to minister to us and to refresh us so that we may be able to endure and to make it.
There is a juniper tree experience coming to each of us. 2006 has been a trying year for many of us, but look and wait for your juniper tree experience. God has a place of rest, renewal and refreshing for His people. Our prayer now is Lord we have had enough; send us to the juniper tree and send your angels to nourish us!
Be Blessed!
