Under the Broom Tree

1 Kings 19:1–2 HCSB

Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!”

Elijah has met someone as committed to Baal as he is committed to Yahweh. Ever met someone like that, regardless of the subject, thought or idea? What have you done? How have you reacted? Cower, be quiet, fight or walk away or even run away in fear?

How does Elijah react? He runs in fear. Not a proudest moment after Elijah’s finest moment, witnessing and defeating Baal and the priests of Baal; having turned Israel back to acknowledging Yahweh as God.

What do we expect Satan to do when God’s people become revived? What do we expect Satan to do when one has just wiped the floor with Him and his minions? What are you expecting to happen when you pick a fight with Satan? For him to just roll over and let you be?

Satan revives when the Church revives!

I wish we would read about a great spiritual battle here, but we do not. Instead we read about a man as human as you and me. Elijah flees. He flees deep into the wilderness to die, alone. Where is God? Why has God abandoned me? Why can things never be easy? Elijah has had enough. He enters the clutches of depression.

1 Kings 19:3–5 HCSB

Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life. When he came to Beer-sheba that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there, but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my fathers.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, “Get up and eat.”

Elijah is No Better than His Fathers

Have you ever taken yourself too seriously? What does that even mean? To take oneself too seriously means to treat someone or something as being very important and deserving of attention and respect (Merriam-Webster).

It’s a present day idiom: an expression that cannot be derived from it’s conjoined or united elements. Specialized expression of a person or culture.

It is what Elijah means by being “very zealous for the LORD God” (v.10, 14). Elijah has taken his calling from the Lord very seriously, so importantly that he has had or made no time for anything else; he is driven.

It’s the statement The Joker makes towards Batman, “Why so serious?” You need to have some fun, take it easy, lighten up, take some time to enjoy life. Elijah has not taken time to stop and smell the roses.

Elijah is so serious about his calling, his purpose, that he makes a false declaration, “I am the only one left of Your prophets” (v. 10, 14). I have taken your appointment so seriously that now that I face the threat of death from Jezebel, just take me now. I obviously am no better than my forefathers ever were.

Ever felt like you have given all you have to give, done all you can do and felt like it is not making a difference? Not amounting to a hill of beans? So what is the sense in continuing? Life sucks. That’s where Elijah is. Elijah is a type A personality that wants to be the best all the time! Better than all the rest, than his forefathers, in virtue, goodness and character. The expectation is first place all the time. An expectation that only God can meet.

Elijah is ambitious. And for one so ambitious, to fail to meet their goal is to be a failure. Lord, take my life. Elijah is not the first, nor the last to make this cry. We have all been there or will get there at some point, even the ‘otters’ of us who do not take life so seriously.

I have had my own times of declaring this life sucks. What does it matter. What do I matter. Who cares, only I do. What difference does it make. Do you even care God? He cares more than I know.

Matthew 6:26 HCSB

Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?

John 10:27–28 HCSB

My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish —ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.

Elijah’s cry is: How now will you prove to be God, Lord? Will you? After mountain top experiences, depression tends to come with the descent. Adrenaline disappears.

Depression essentially is becoming momentarily or permanently drained of energy; having little or no adrenaline. We all suffer from being depressed at one time or another because we have spent all our adrenaline, our energy, some more seriously than others.

…and we have not taken, or need to take time to recharge, rest, and be satisfied with not having our hair on fire at Mach 2 for a little while and be okay with it.

Depression is Real, not Shameful

Job suffered from it (Job 3:1). Jeremiah could not stop crying (Jer. 20:14-18). The apostle Paul despaired about his life (2 Cor. 1:8-9). Even the prince of preachers, Charles Spurgeon experienced hours of depression.

Six things about depression:

We fail to realize the best of Christians can become depressed.

A leader or someone of high profile is vulnerable to this attack (2 Cor. 1:8-9).

All of us are susceptible to being overtired and overworked, leading to depression.

Take a break, Jesus did from the crowds often.

The best of God’s people have desired for the Lord to take them.

It can be an oppression (Elijah), not a possession (Jezebel).

Fruits of the Spirit may not be visible under a depressive state (Gal. 5:22-23).

The “unguarded” comment or action.

Depression can be caused by more than one thing.

Physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual

God can hide His face especially when we are not obedient and walking with Him (1 John 1:7).

The Good News! God knows our frame and will not give us more than what we can handle…in Him!

1 Corinthians 10:13 HCSB

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.

Philippians 4:13 HCSB

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Psalm 103:14 HCSB

For He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.

Am I Standing in God?

…or do I have to achieve to feel good about myself? Do I have to be the best to avoid feeling like a failure?

The apostle Paul says, “Stand!”

Ephesians 6:10–17 HCSB

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

Living out God's call on your life and being responsible is a leadership characteristic that is lonely and can lead you want to die.

Death to self is a lonely road that will lead one to want to die because it will seem like you are the only one living it.

Taking life too seriously can lead to a mountain we willingly climb, to the glory of God, but the descent can lead to death if we do not anticiapte that the enemy will rise to put us down. Be ready to put on the armor of God and rest in Him!