Jeremiah 8 - There Is A Balm In Gilead

 "Is there no balm in Gilead,
Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no recovery

For the health of the daughter of my people?" (Jer 8:22 NKJV)

 

Today our reading reminds me of another popular hymn. At the least, it is a favorite of mine. 

Jeremiah grieves for the people of God who are heading for destruction. Been there. Done that. Do it all the time. Such a sad thing to watch God's children following on a path of destruction. Jeremiah asks: "Is there no balm in Gilead?"

 

The balm of Gilead was actually the resin of a tree found in Gilead that was used as a healing ointment. (Bringing back memories of my father using the sap of the balsam tree to heals cut and abrasions - but I digress!) 

 

Jeremiah wonders if there is a cure for the hurt that the people live in and will encounter even more fully as they have wandered away from God. He asks, "Is there a balm in Gilead?" The answer to that question is heard in the African American Spiritual of the same name. I could not find the name of an author for this hymn as it was sung in early America and now today. It was born out of a time of much trial and suffering and was and is a reminder that the only balm to be found for the suffering soul was and is the love of God through Jesus Christ, our LORD.
 

Refrain

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul

Sometimes I feel discouraged
And think my work's in vain
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again Refrain

Don't ever feel discouraged
For Jesus is your friend
And if you lack of knowledge
He'll ne'er refuse to lend Refrain

If you cannot preach like Peter
If you cannot pray like Paul
You can tell the love of Jesus
And say, "He died for all." Refrain
 

I'm thinking we're going to be singing this at Zion again, soon, as I remember Bertha singing this to us at our last Worship and Music Committee meeting. If you live locally, hopefully, I will see you there! And, if you don't... attend worship wherever you are so that you might be reminded of God's love for you and receive (the balm of Gilead) the healing power of the Spirit of Christ.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 8 - Wounded Souls

For a few moments, I thought I read the wrong lesson a couple of days ago when I wrote on chapter six. Chapter eight repeats the same ideas - lots of trouble for those who have fallen away and rejected the word of the LORD. There are lots of troubles for those who declare that all is well, declaring peace; when there is no peace; when are so many problems to be addressed.

"They dress the wound of my people
    as though it were not serious.
“Peace, peace,” they say,
    when there is no peace.
Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
    No, they have no shame at all;
    they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
    they will be brought down when they are punished,
       says the Lord." (Jer 8:11-12 NIV)

It reminds me so much of many of our leaders today. They like to come up with new laws on top of old laws. They try to "fix" things and they end up making things even worse. They can't fix things; because, they simply do not know the word of the LORD and they're trying to fix stuff that they have no real knowledge of. They try to fix stuff for the people when they have no heart for the people. Their hearts appear to be only for themselves. Every now and then, I will send a letter to a congressman or senator imploring them to think about what they are doing regarding specific legislation. The usual response is a letter written by someone else from their offices which really has nothing to do with my initial inquiry or comments. It appears to me that they really do not understand what it's like in the world outside of politics. Consequently, there is a lot of talk about how well things are going - that there is peace - when there is no peace. They have disassociated themselves from the problems and the very real pain of the people. Unlike the LORD, who, through Jeremiah, relates to the wounds of His people.

"Since my people are crushed, I am crushed;
    I mourn, and horror grips me.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
    Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no healing
    for the wound of my people?" (Jer 8:21-22)

Turn to the LORD, heed His Word, who is Jesus the Christ. He is the balm in Gilead that can heal the wounded souls of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J