Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken explores how Elijah struggled, like we do. He faced weakness, rejection, and despair, but prayed, asking God for help. Even when he wanted to give up, God sent His angel to lift him up and show him that he was not alone. Elijah learned to keep trusting God and found new strength and purpose. When you feel broken, remember that God comes close and helps you rise again, just as He did for Elijah.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Audio
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Scriptures used in this lesson:
James 5:17 KJV, James 5:18 KJV, Luke 1:17 KJV, 1 Kings 18:21 KJV, Matthew 6:24 KJV, Acts 5:30 KJV, Psalm 22:1 KJV, 1 Kings 18:38-39 KJV, 1 Kings 18:45-46 KJV, 1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 18:17, 1 Kings 18:22, Matthew 25:21, Philippians 3:14, Philippians 3:13-14, 1 Kings 19:4, 1 Kings 19:5,7, 1 Kings 19:15-16, Romans 7:24, Romans 8:30, Romans 8:28, 1 Kings 19:18, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:2, Romans 7:14,18, Romans 8:37, Romans 6:23, Isaiah 6:1, 1 Corinthians 12:26, 1 Kings 19:11-12, Psalm 139:7-8, John 14:27,
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Elijah Was a Person Just Like Us
Elijah was a person just like us. He had the same nature and faced the same emotions and struggles that we do. Today, the focus is on his story and the lessons it offers.
At the beginning of this study, attention was brought to Elijah’s humanity. He was not perfect or different from ordinary people. We often think of biblical heroes as extraordinary, but the Bible shows that they were real and relatable.
If you look at James 5:17, you will see this point clearly.
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (James 5:17 KJV)
This reminds everyone that even those whom God uses in significant ways can struggle and pray through difficult times.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
It says that Elijah was a man, how? Just like us. Elijah was just like us. He had a real personality and genuine emotions. He talked to God about what troubled him. Elijah prayed earnestly that it would not rain. For three and a half years, there was no rain. Then Elijah prayed again. God sent rain, and the earth grew crops again.
More Than Miracles
And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. (James 5:18 KJV)
We often remember Elijah for the miracles God did through him. That is what stands out in his story. But the Holy Spirit wants us to see that Elijah’s life is deeper. There is more than just the big events we read about.
Last time, we studied Matthew chapter 17. In this chapter, we see two things. First, Elijah has come in the past. Second, there is a future coming of Elijah. This shows that the spirit of Elijah continues. When John the Baptist was born, the angel told his father, Zachariah, that John would have the spirit of Elijah. This connects the story of Elijah to what God wants to do in the future.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Luke 1:17 KJV)
The Spirit of Elijah in Believers
There will be people who have the spirit of Elijah. There are people even today who show this same spirit. The name Elijah means “Jehovah is my God.” When Elijah introduced himself, his words made it clear who he worshipped.
Elijah never hid his faith. He was always bold about who God was to him. This is how we should live, too. Our lives should make it evident that God is our God. People should never have to guess who we belong to.
In 1 Kings chapter 18, the conflict on Mount Carmel was about who God was. The people had to decide between different gods. Elijah called them to follow Jehovah alone. He told them if Jehovah is God, serve Him. If something else is your master—like Baal or anything else—then follow that. But either way, stop confusing God’s people by being in the middle.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21 KJV)
Commitment to God Alone
If you want to serve money or Mammon, then go do it. But do not try to mix serving God with serving money. You cannot serve both Mammon and God. Make a choice and stay true.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24 KJV)
Do not mislead people by saying they can live any way they want. You cannot worship both false gods like Astarte and Jehovah at the same time. God wants His people to be pure. Elijah was called to minister to a pure people. That is also our calling. Pure, not perfect.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
The Cave Experience—Juniper Tree
Today, we look at 1 Kings chapter 19. This chapter describes Elijah’s cave experience. It will take more than one message to explain this. The first part is about the juniper tree. This was a place Elijah went. It is where you realize you cannot do what God has called you to do on your own.
Everyone must go through tough times before reaching their own juniper tree. You have to face brutal battles, win some victories, and even run from Jezebel. In the end, you end up in a place where you feel defeated. You want to give up. It is there, under the juniper tree, that you learn you cannot do God’s work by yourself. Only Christ in you can do it.
It is worth noting that Christ was also crucified on a tree.
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. (Acts 5:30 KJV)
Christ died on a tree. You will reach a point where you feel like dying at your own tree, too. Sometimes, you just want to give up and say, “Kill me, Lord.”
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Let’s look at the start of the story. I want to read the first eight verses. I am reading from the New American Standard Bible.
1 Kings 19:1-8
1 Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ” So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not
make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”
3 And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and
left his servant there.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
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 my life, for I
am not better than my fathers.”
5 He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said
to him, “Arise, eat.”
6 Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake {baked on} hot stones, and a jar of
water. So he ate and drank and lay down again.
7 The angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise, eat, because the
journey is too great for you.”
8 So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to
Horeb, the mountain of God.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
The Juniper Tree Experience
Elijah felt he had failed and felt hopeless. Many of us have reached a place like that. Sometimes, you want to give up and ask God to take your life. This is what it means to be at the juniper tree. At that point, you need to seek God. Elijah received help from the angel of the Lord. The angel told him to get up and eat because the journey ahead was too much for him. Elijah gained strength from this and traveled to Horeb, the mountain of God.
When Elijah reached his lowest, he wanted answers from God. He felt like a failure and thought he was no good to anyone. But God did not abandon him. God kept sending help and sent an angel to minister to him.
Let’s focus on the juniper tree experience. We should ask, what brings us to such a place? How does the enemy attack us? Why do we feel so alone sometimes?
Loneliness and Rejection
Elijah felt deep loneliness and rejection. Chapter 19 of his story explores these struggles. James 5:17 says Elijah was just like us. We all know what loneliness and rejection are. Yet, we have the spirit of Elijah, too.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
The spirit of Elijah teaches us that even great leaders can feel depressed. Elijah had wonderful moments like Mount Carmel, but he still felt so low that he wanted to die. But Mount Carmel was not the high point of his life.
Elijah’s greatest accomplishments came later. He helped establish good leadership and raised up others for ministry. Even though he struggled, God still had more in store for him. That gives us hope for our own lives. Sometimes, we have to reach the end of ourselves before God shows us what He truly has planned.
We have not yet seen all that God wants to do with us. To understand this, we must think about loneliness. Elijah was strong and brave, but he still experienced loneliness. Many strong believers also face times when they feel very low.
What Loneliness Really Is
Loneliness is not about being alone. You can be with many people and still feel lonely. It happens when you feel that nobody understands you, or you cannot connect with anyone else. At times, I have been in a crowd, but still felt completely alone.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Loneliness is a state of mind. You can also be physically alone, but not feel lonely. It depends on where your focus is. If your vision is outward, fixed on God and His purposes, you will not be controlled by loneliness. But if you turn your gaze inward, thinking only about your own problems, that is when loneliness will take hold.
Loneliness in Life Today
My lowest moments came when I took my eyes off God’s plan and focused on myself. When I thought only about my own problems and felt alone, that is when I was most upset. This is just like Elijah. He was not weak, but he still faced loneliness. Loneliness is a big issue today.
Many older people feel lonely because they think society has no use for them. Roger went to minister at a home and saw people feeling alone. Even in marriages, people feel lonely. Wives think their husbands do not understand them. Husbands feel the same. On the surface, their marriages seem fine, but beneath the surface, there is no real connection. Couples stop sharing their hearts. When they do not communicate, loneliness grows.
Children are also lonely. Parents do not connect with their kids as they should, so children look for someone who will listen to and understand them. This often leads to trouble.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Ministry can be lonely, too. Many pastors feel rejected even after giving everything to help others. Elijah felt that way too. Loneliness goes beyond being physically alone. It is about not feeling understood or connected to anyone.
Biblical Examples of Loneliness
Great men of God like Moses, Paul, and even Jesus experienced loneliness. Moses spent forty years in the wilderness, alone with his thoughts. David felt forsaken.
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? (Psalm 22:1 KJV)
Paul felt abandoned when others left him in jail. Even Jesus felt alone on the cross when He cried out to God. All of them faced these times. We can relate to them and to Elijah.
The greatest man of God has experienced rejection. And so for you to experience it this morning, and you to be in it, or you be going to it, or you to be coming out of it, is nothing unusual.
I want to talk about how we get into lonely and depressed situations, but even more about how we get out of them. That is the real focus today. It is easy to understand how these things happen, but we need to know how to avoid or escape them when they occur.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Elijah was like us. He had to face loneliness and rejection. Let’s look at what happened in 1 Kings 19 to understand better.
There are three main reasons why Elijah ended up in this lonely place. First, let’s look at his situation. Elijah had just experienced a big victory. He had a powerful meeting on Mount Carmel. Elijah called down fire from heaven. He stood against his nation’s entire religious system and won. This high point set the stage for what followed.
The Mount Carmel Victory
Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God. (1 Kings 18:38-39 KJV)
The High Followed by Disappointment
Elijah had won a great victory. He defeated the prophets of Baal and Astarte. He stood up to Jezebel’s false religion and overcame it. Elijah faced King Ahab and won.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
The people saw what happened and should have turned back to God. Elijah was so hopeful and excited. When it started to rain, he ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot, full of energy and joy.
And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:45-46 KJV)
Elijah ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot because he was excited. He thought everything would change for the better. He expected Jezebel to repent and for the nation to turn to God. Elijah wanted to meet Jezebel. Perhaps he thought he could lead her to the Lord.
But Jezebel did not welcome him. She sent a message saying she hated Elijah and wanted to kill him. Elijah wanted someone to encourage him, to say he had done well, but instead, he met rejection.
We all feel this way at times. We expect others to be happy and supportive when we do good things. But sometimes, even in everyday life, things do not go as we hope.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
This happens in small ways, too. Sometimes, even when we try to please our loved ones, it does not work. We get disappointed. We expected joy, but instead we got anger or rejection.
After Expectancy Comes Loneliness
Elijah’s story shows us that after times of hope and excitement, disappointment can follow. When expectations are not met, loneliness and sadness often come.
Number two, I become the issue, and I may have to end today on this one. I become the issue. Elijah’s gaze when he began his ministry was in the correct place. He risked his life standing before Ahab and saying, It’s not going to rain till I say so (1 Kings 17:1).
After telling Ahab, Elijah left his home and went to another country. He later returned and faced King Ahab again. It still had not rained, and people were searching for Ahab. Elijah risked his life by doing what God told him to do. His heart and motives were right from the beginning. He was willing to sacrifice everything for God’s command.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Many ministries today have started out this way. They began with the right vision and motives. They gave up a lot and were blessed. But sometimes, with great blessing and prosperity, comes temptation. Some people fail because they start to focus only on their own needs and desires. This same thing happened to Elijah. He became inward-focused after so much success.
The Focus Shift
In chapter 18, verse 17, it says that all of Israel was watching Elijah. Ahab says to him, he says, are you the one who has troubled Israel?
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? (1 Kings 18:17)
It was all of Israel was looking for this guy who had shut up heaven, and then in verse 22 of chapter 18, Elijah begins to watch Elijah and he says, I alone am left.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. (1 Kings 18:22)
Self-Focus, Isolation, and Rejection
Elijah began to focus only on himself. He stopped seeing life through God’s purpose and started saying, “I alone am left.” When we feel lonely, it is often because we are looking inward too much. The more we focus on ourselves, the more isolated we feel. This was Elijah’s major problem at that time.
At first, Elijah gave up everything to follow God’s plan. But after a while, he turned his focus inward. He started thinking only about his own struggles. When we do the same, we invite feelings of rejection and depression.
People who are depressed or feel rejected usually have their gaze on themselves. They say, “I alone,” and forget God’s bigger purpose. The way out is to shift our attention away from ourselves and look again at God’s plans. When we move from focusing on our own troubles to seeing what God wants for our lives, everything changes.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
God’s Eternal Purpose
Self-focus leads to sadness and a sense of being stuck. Seeing life through God’s vision keeps us out of depression and rejection. It does not matter if others accept or reject us. What matters is that we focus on God’s eternal purpose and work toward hearing Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
The Juniper Tree—Escape and Survival
When I focus only on myself and feel sorry for “poor Delbert,” I start feeling alone. That’s when I go to my own “juniper tree,” that special place where I try to hide from everything. We all have our juniper trees.
Your juniper tree could be your bedroom. It could even be a golf course. I’ve been there myself—sometimes when things get stressful, I want to play golf to get away from my problems. For some people, it’s a book they run to and read for comfort.
A juniper tree is any place you go when you feel depressed or discouraged. It’s a place where you want to escape from life and be by yourself. Everyone can relate to having a place like that.
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)
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
A juniper tree is a place you go when you feel rejected and not accepted. It’s where you hide when you want to be alone and have your own pity party. You don’t want anyone to bother you, so you stay there by yourself.
God Meets Us There
Even in that lonely place, God reaches out to you. He sends help through an angel or a messenger. He gives you what you need—food, His word, water, and His Spirit. God knows the journey is challenging for you and offers comfort and strength right where you are.
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat… 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. (1 Kings 19:5,7)
Sometimes when you feel down, you want to stay where you are. Even if help comes, you are not impressed or interested. When you are in that state, not even a preacher can encourage you. You would rather be left alone.
But God doesn’t give up on you. He keeps sending help, sending people or messages again and again. God keeps ministering to you right where you are. He knows exactly where you are, whether you are happy like on Mount Carmel or struggling. He wants you to learn that He sees you under your juniper tree.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Greater Things Ahead
God is always present with what you need—His word, His spirit, and comfort. He gives you enough to keep going. If you keep finding yourself under juniper trees, it means you are thinking too much about yourself. You have turned your attention inward instead of focusing on God’s purpose. But God still has greater things for you. Like Elijah, you may yet do important things and help others if you look to God’s vision instead.
And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. (1 Kings 19:15-16)
We often remember Elijah for his ability to call down fire from heaven. That was his special gift, but it was not the most important thing about him. Roger, you have your own gift for building and have helped many people. But even for you, God still has more work and greater things ahead.
Each of us has unique gifts, just as Elijah did. But God sometimes asks us to do things beyond our own abilities, because the journey is too difficult to take alone. Elijah was given a new task—to anoint kings and raise up other leaders. He had not yet seen all that God had planned for him.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
If you find yourself under your juniper tree, feeling discouraged or just coming out of a hard time, it means you’re focusing on yourself. Let me remind you, when you are in that place, you are in a Romans chapter 7 moment, feeling like, “Oh wretched man that I am.” But that isn’t the end of your story. God has more for you.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24)
Romans 8 Calling
I am no good. I can’t get my wife happy. Or, I can’t keep my husband happy. I’m a failure. I’m no better than my fathers.
If you won’t go under that juniper tree and you’ve got your purposes and your mindset on God, you’re in Romans chapter 8. Romans 8 says, “Whom he called, he also glorified.”
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:30)
He says that we are called according to his purposes.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
If you’re in Romans chapter 8, you’re walking in the purposes of God for your life. He’s called you for a purpose. And you haven’t experienced it yet. And I’m going to show you tonight that even though he was under that juniper tree, and even though he left there and he went to his cave experiences seeking some answers from God, God never dealt with why he was under the juniper tree.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
You Are Not Alone
Oh God, I’m all alone. I’m all alone. There’s nobody here like me. God, there’s nobody in this whole valley that preaches what I preach. I’m all alone. The Lord said, No. I’ve got 7,000.
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. (1 Kings 19:18)
If you’re stuck under your juniper tree, feeling like “O wretched man that I am,” you’re living in a Romans chapter 7 moment. That means your own struggles lead you, and not seeing God’s bigger plan.
But if you know God’s purpose for your life and keep moving forward, it doesn’t matter what anyone says or thinks about you. Then you’re living in Romans chapter 8. You understand that God has called you for a reason.
In Romans chapter 7, you are guided by the flesh and the old law. In Romans chapter 8, you become a child of God and follow the Spirit. You’re free from the law of sin and death, living by the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. That is where God wants you to be.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
When you know God has a purpose for you, your life is filled with hope and meaning. But if you stay under your juniper tree, you stay in a place of defeat and emptiness. That’s living in Romans chapter 7—feeling wretched and stuck.
God’s Offer
God wants you to get up and accept what He offers. Eat the spiritual food He gives, receive His help, and move forward. Even if you feel defeated under your juniper tree, God can lift you out of it.
In Romans chapter 7, you keep struggling and failing on your own. You may want to do better, but you still mess up. But God’s ministry is the answer—He will help you move forward and find victory.
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin… For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:14,18)
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
But in Romans chapter 8, He says, Oh, you may be defeated in Romans chapter 7, but if you’ll walk in the purposes of God and get out from under your juniper tree, you’ll be more than a conqueror.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Romans 8:37)
And if you’re under the juniper tree, you’re in Romans chapter 7, and it’s death. In Romans chapter 8, it’s life.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Self Must Die
In Romans chapter 7, you’re looking at I. “I” has got to die.
We’re singing the chorus. Thibaut began to sing the song of the Lord, and he said, he’s singing, quoting from Isaiah 6, and he says, I saw the Lord. And he was high and lifted up.
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1)
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
He wasn’t eye-minded. Who was he seeing? The Lord. He wasn’t seeing Isaiah. He did come to the point, and he says, Oh, I’m wretched, but I saw the Lord. If you’re in Romans chapter 8, you’re moving in His purposes. You’re understanding what He’s got for you. How many have heard what I’ve said this morning? There’s another part still to go and two more actual aspects of it. I want to give them to you because I may not see you tonight, but it causes us to see we are not the only ones.
Body Ministry
This is a body ministry. Paul said that if one member hurts, every member hurts. If one member is exalted, every member is exalted.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26)
We are not alone in this journey. You need to be connected to others who can lift you up when you feel down. When you are facing your juniper tree experiences, it helps to have people who offer support, encouragement, and love.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Also, remember you are not finished yet. If you think it’s all over and there is nothing left for you, you are wrong. God still has something special and greater for you to do, even if you feel worthless or ready to quit.
God will send help. He will send people, His word, and His Spirit to encourage you. He will urge you to get up and search for answers. Sometimes, the answer is not found in dramatic signs or loud displays. Like with Elijah, God may come to you in a gentle whisper—a still, small voice—bringing comfort and guidance.
And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)
Moving Forward
When you finally hear God’s gentle voice, it will move you to action. You will step out of your cave and fulfill new responsibilities, just as Elijah was called to raise up leaders and ministries for the future.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Responding to the Spirit’s Voice
I know God’s Spirit has spoken to me., and I recognize the truth in this message. I have gone through juniper tree experiences. Maybe you have too, or perhaps one is ahead. The important thing is to stop focusing inward and look toward God’s purpose.
God has a plan for each of us. If this message has touched you, I ask you to show encouragement.
God knows where you are. He has a place and purpose for you. Some of you may know Jesus, but not know Him as your true deliverer—the one who can help in your deepest struggles. If you want to meet Him in a new way, He is ready to come and minister to you. You cannot hide from God. He knows exactly where you are, wherever you go.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. (Psalm 139:7-8)
If that’s you this morning, you don’t know Him in that dimension, would you raise your hand? I won’t even call you here. Amen, amen. Let’s leave that hand. I won’t even call you up here. There’s another one. There is one more that doesn’t know the Lord, like I’m speaking about this morning.
Christ, Our Real Peace
But God says, I’m your peace.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
The Lord says, I’m the one who’ll meet you at your juniper tree. I’m the one who’ll come and minister to you. I’m that one. Would you raise your hand? Amen.
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
Under the Juniper Tree: How to Rise Up When You Feel Broken
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