Under a Broom Tree
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. .. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” 1 Kings 19:3-4
Sounds like Elijah was having a bad day, doesn’t it? Truth be told, he was actually doing well. He had just completed a stunning work of God, demonstrating in grand fashion the false god du jour (Baal) was a fraud (1 Kings 18) and he would soon have a close personal encounter with GOD who would care for Elijah’s needs and send him into the next phase of his divine service. Despite the fact that he was being used by God in such significant ways and enjoying such an intimate relationship with God, Elijah was afraid and wishing he were dead.
A wise man once said while lamenting that his missionary children (and grandchildren) were serving in a dangerous overseas setting, “There’s no better place for them to be than right in the middle of God’s will, and I know that’s where they are.” That’s where Elijah was – right in the middle of God’s will for his life, and as a result he would do the great works of God recorded in scripture, and at the end of it all receive the rare honor of being taken up into God’s presence “in a whirlwind,” bypassing the grave altogether. That notwithstanding, from Elijah’s perspective, life stunk!
When life brings us trouble, like Elijah, we get scared and discouraged. It’s important to remember that our relationship with God does not come with a guarantee of happiness and easy living. There will be days when you’ll find yourself “under a broom tree wishing you were dead.” As Jesus put it in his last supper with his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble…” All of us know that all too well. Fortunately, Jesus went on to finish that sentence by saying, “…but take heart, I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33) That’s the true benefit of the Christian life. Not being promised a life of “sunny days,” but a life of hope that we have an eternity of sunny days waiting just beyond the storms we face in this life. Elijah would eventually move beyond the storms he faced in his life and enjoy eternity in the presence of God.
Do you find yourself sitting under a broom tree today? Take heart. Whatever you face has already been “overcome.” We serve a God who has promised us a better tomorrow that will last eternally longer than the troubles of today!
2 Responses to “Under a Broom Tree”
Shadow on: July 27th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Pastor Dowell, I find myself “under the broom tree” today and increasingly often lately. Please understand that although I was raised in a “Christian” home, it took me more than 40 years to establish a relationship with Jesus Christ for myself. In these past 5 years, I was taught that Christ came so that we would have a more abundant life before physical death and, of course, in the afterlife. While I do not believe God is like some great cosmic genie granting wishes when ever I have a whim or desire, I had hoped to see some evidence of His leading in my life. However, other than clearly hearing Him call me to accept Him as Savior, I have not seen any evidence of Him. I diligently read the Scriptures, volunteer at my church to serve in any capacity that is needed, I tithe regularly and give to missions in order to help carry out “The Great Commission”. I share my faith with others and I have seen changes in myself for the better. But, I still cannot find a job. I cannot afford heat in the winter or food on a regular basis. Please do not get the wrong idea. I am not looking for a handout. I want to believe what it says in Matthew 6. God knows I need these things and I want to believe that He will provide them but having searched for and failed to find a job that pays enough for me to be able to do more than simply survive, I went back to school to expand my options. I obtained a degree in a highly sought after field and went back out to search for a job. As my third winter approaches with no job prospects on the horizon, I am now faced with a moutain of school loans that must be paid and I do not want to be cold anymore. I say all of this to let you understand where I am. Now I simply ask this: Pray for me. Pray for me to come from under the broom tree with a stronger faith in the Lord. Pray for me to have patience and a better understanding of myself and my Father in Heaven. Pray for the Lord to touch me and turn me in the direction that He would have me go because I know that I must not be walking in His will or things would be better. Pray for me to see where I am failing to follow His will. Amen and thank you.
TimDowell on: August 6th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I’m sorry to be so delayed in responding to your comment. I will pray for you.
I encourage you to consider the fact that you’ve made it through all those cold winters & hot summers alive and well. Matthew 6 doesn’t promise comfort or an increased standard of living – it promises we’ll be cared for like the lillies fo the valley – that experience floods & droughts – and yet continue to bloom through it all.
And abundant life as mentioned in John 10:10 doesn’t mean a life abundant with “stuff.” It means as compared to the “thief that comes to steal, kill, and destroy,” Jesus brings us life – and life “abundant” and even eternal.
It’s obvious from your comment that you’ve received an intellectual capacity to express yourself beautifully in writing. That is a gift from God and evidence of God’s presence in your life – as is the fact that you have survived all the “thief” has thrown your way. God is there – though hard to hear (as was the case for Elijah). Hang in there.
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