Resting: Finding Your Broom Tree
By Angela Mackey
Thursday, November 2, 2017
“And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.” 1 Kings 19:8 ESV
Elijah felt done, spent, ready to die. Why?
The prophet Elijah faithfully served God while many bowed to Baal. A showdown between the prophet of God and the prophets of Baal ensued. God answered Elijah by sending fire from heaven, while the prophets of Baal received no response.
Through God’s might Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal. Further, Elijah prayed that the drought would end and rain would fall.
In the midst of the rain, Elijah received a message. Queen Jezebel, a Baal worshipper, vowed to kill him.
So he ran away into the wilderness until he could not run any further and fell, wiped out under a broom tree. Spent, beyond exhausted, ready to die.
Can’t we all relate a little to Elijah? We take a stand for our Lord, we serve Him faithfully, and we see God move in powerful and wonderful ways. Yet a whisper of bad news, a reminder of a long-time annoyance, a diagnosis sends us running for cover.
Exhausted, drained, we cry out, “I AM DONE!”
Amazingly, God doesn’t smack Elijah around and say, “Suck it up, Buttercup. Remember how I took care of the prophets of Baal? You are just a great big baby. GET UP! I have stuff for you to do.”
Instead, God let Elijah sleep for a while then He sent an angel to bring Elijah food and drink. And God let Elijah rest even more. The angel came a second time and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” (1 Kings 19:7b ESV)
Perhaps we need to learn the lesson of resting in the Lord. Allowing Him to provide us with sustenance for the journey. Reviving our spirits and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit.
There under the broom tree God revived Elijah’s weary soul and prepared Him for the next part of the journey. God’s food sustained Elijah for forty days so he journey to the mount of the Lord – even nearer to God.
God doesn’t give us seasons of rest to get fat and comfortable. He gives us seasons of rest so that we can go out and serve Him more, drawing ever nearer to God.
The amazing thing is that when we truly rest in the Lord, He will not only revive us, but He will give us sustenance to get up and do the next things. If only we take the time to rest under the broom tree, resting in the Lord, as He prepares us for the journey ahead.
Are you in need of rest? Set aside time today to read through a Psalm and pray it back to the Lord.
Are you needing to get up from under the broom tree? Check-out opportunities to serve in your local church or in your community so that God’s light can shine through you to a dark world.
Father God, So often life is difficult and we feel tired, frustrated, and done. Help us to take time to rest under Your broom tree that You may give us rest and sustenance. May these times of rest prepare us for the journey ahead that we may grow ever closer to You and serve others in Your power…in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Come to me [Jesus], all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 ESV
© 2017 by Angela Mackey. All rights reserved.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Pull up a chair… He’s been waiting for you.
Need a refill? Please join us at the Encouragement Café with Luann and Friends.
The conversation at the Café is always hot and fresh. We invite you to listen in as we gather around the table to discuss everyday life.
Comfort food for your soul is always on our menu, and friends are always close enough to hug. We invite you to join us daily, as our writer’s share how the Lord continues to transform them into His glorious image.
Still craving more…Join us as we grow together in grace and truth through our online bible study.
Stop by Encouragement Café and listen as the girls share life. Find podcasts, videos, Bible studies, prayer, resources and daily helpings of hope, laughter and friendship around our table. We've saved a seat just for you!