unlocking-the-power-of-god's-word
Hear the Word of the Lord: here's how! An extract from: "Elijah under the Juniper Tree".
View the full video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9NRYQmeo4A
Elijah was a mighty prophet, yet he was very human. His journey included a time of great depression and discouragement. Elijah ran to the wilderness and sat under a juniper tree.
One in five Australians experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months. The Australian Bureau of Statistics say 2.1 million Australians, or 9.3 per cent of our population are suffering from some form of depression.
Elijah knew what depression felt like. Discouragement. Like the psalmist in Psalm 42, he felt overwhelmed - all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
Elijah had been through a lot… the dry brook, the empty barrel, the dead boy, the prophets of Baal, the lack of rain. He had seen the Lord do wonders. At Mount Carmel he had confronted the 850 false prophets of Baal and the nation's idolatry. He saw God’s great power and intervention. Fire came down from heaven, and consumed Elijah's sacrifice.
Queen Jezebel threatened his life. Elijah went through deep discouragement and despair. He wanted to run away from it all. Discouragement can be powerful.You could call it “Emotion sickness”. People like David, like Job have experienced discouragement.1 Kings 19:4 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.Elijah sits under the juniper tree. He cries out: I have had enough! He wanted to quit. Take my life!
Have you had a juniper tree moment? “I feel like giving up!”Isolation can often deepen discouragement. Don't be afraid to reach out. Share your burden. Reach out to others who can offer support, encourage, and pray for you.Elijah’s cry to God sounds quite desperate. God invites us to pour out our hearts to Him. Tell Him your emotions, doubts, and struggles. Know that your God given purpose is greater than your current circumstances. God's plans are bigger than our problems.
James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are…
Have you ever had a Juniper Tree moment?1 Kings 19:5-6 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. (6) And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.In the depths of his discouragement, Elijah seeks refuge in the wilderness, where God graciously ministers to him. He was tired. He got nourishment and rest.
God refreshed him. Rely on God’s sustaining power. Rely on God's provision. 1 Kings 19:7-8 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. (8) And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
Don’t give in to despair. Don’t stay under the juniper tree, in the wilderness, the place of discouragement, weakness and doubt.
God speaks to Elijah in a gentle whisper, demonstrating His presence and reassurance. The journey is too great for thee. Believer, you can know that God meets you in your lowest moments.Elijah needed to hear from God. He had been listening to the word of discouragement - but he needed to hear the Word of the Lord.God looks at you and He says, What doest thou here?
God meets with us, wherever we are at. Even while we are in the midst of our own pity party. Depression can paralyse people.
Trust in His provision and guidance to lead you through. God reassures Elijah of his purpose and calling, despite his feelings of inadequacy and despair. The still, small voice. He brings comfort by His Word. It’s the still, small voice. Romans 15:4 ...we through ...comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Don’t you quit. You do what you’re supposed to be doing.Pour out your heart to God in prayer when you're discouraged. Surrender your fears, your doubts, and your worries unto the Lord.
You are not alone. Being isolated from other believers is not good for us.God renewed Elijah’s hope and faith. He gave Elijah a new mission, a fresh hope.Are you under the juniper tree? God can meet with you. Pour out your heart to God in prayer. Hear His voice. It’s still, small. You have to listen.God meets us in our weakness with His gentle word. Our disappointment may be His appointment… God is not through with us. Discouragement is where courage gets taken away. God can give it back. Elijah got his courage back. He stopped sitting under the jumper tree.
We all have a divine assignment to fulfil. What are you doing here?Like Elijah, if you will hear the word of the Lord, get up out of your cave and go… the power of God will come upon you again.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cV-J11-fFs
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