Under the Broom Tree

Elijah was one of the most courageous characters that we can find in Scripture. He stood before a wicked and powerful king announcing there would be no rain. He raised a widow’s son from the dead. He called down fire from heaven and destroyed the prophets of Baal. He confidently prayed and asked God for rain and the rain came down. Yet this prophet of fire was also a man of flesh just like you and me. In 1 Kings 19 the wicked queen Jezebel sent a message to Elijah that she intended to have Elijah killed within 24 hours. The news struck the prophet hard and something in him broke. He ran away, sat under a broom tree, and wished he could die. His courage in the face of evil and his confidence in the power of God broke. Elijah found himself in a state of depression.

God saw his beloved servant under that broom tree and in His great love and compassion sent an angel to him. The angel took care of Elijah and prepared him something to eat, and made sure that he got enough rest. God spoke to Elijah about his discouragement and eventually he was restored to active service by obeying the words of God.

Perhaps there have been times in your life that you have found yourself under the broom tree with Elijah. You are worn out physically, emotionally, and spiritually. You are running as fast as you can but can’t seem to shake that strangling feeling of depression. Perhaps you have even given in to desperate thoughts. Just as God cared for His servant Elijah, God cares deeply for you. He sees the emotional turmoil that you are going through right now. He is aware of the depression that may be plaguing you brought on by financial worries, marriage trouble, loneliness, or even problems with the children.

God loves you even when you are under the broom tree. But He loves you too much to let you stay there. Like Elijah sometimes we need a little rest and refreshment. God also desires to speak to our needs with the still small voice of His Word. Let Him bring you out from under that broom tree.