What Will Get Us Through?

YES, THERE IS! Jeremiah 8:22 Jeremiah was a prophet who served as God’s spokesperson to the people of Judah for over 40 years. The problem was that when he spoke, no one listened. The people were bent on doing things, on living their lives the way they wanted to, rejecting the directives from God. Jeremiah constantly and passionately tried to tell them “what thus saith the Lord!” He tried so hard to get the people to repent, to turn from their wicked ways, and to return to God. But again, they were set in their evil ways. Because of this, Jeremiah stressed over the impending doom that would befall Judah. This is why he became known as the “weeping prophet.” As an obedient spokesperson of the Most High, Jeremiah agonized over the messages he was told to deliver to the people. He agonized because the people refused to listen to and respond to the truth. They continued to reject his warnings from God. Now even though the people were being hard-hearted and stiff-necked, Jeremiah was still pleading to God to save his people. In Jeremiah 8:22, he asked a rhetorical question, “Is the no balm in Gilead?” Balm was a resin and ointment that came from the balsam tree and was used as incense and as an ointment for healing wounds. It was a highly valued commodity and exported to other parts of the world. Now, there was an obvious answer to the question “Is there a balm in Gilead?” Jeremiah knew that balm was plentiful in Gilead, but he was asking the question to make a point. Just as the balm could bring about physical healing, Jeremiah was telling the people there is a balm that can bring about spiritual healing. That balm was God. However, the people were still rejecting that which could heal their sin-sick souls. God could heal their deep spiritual wounds, but God was not going to force His healing on them. That is because God does give us free will. When we look at what is going on today with COVID-19, we know that we need physical healing. There are still many falling ill with the virus, and still, many who are dying. But, as much as physical healing is needed, there is also a very great need for spiritual healing. 2nd Chronicle 7:14 comes to mind. “If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive them, and heal their land.” As a nation, we have fallen away from our Christian-Judeo roots. We, as a nation seem to have forgotten to “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, and mind,” and to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) We, as a nation, must put back into the mainstream of life the authentic tenets and values of true Christianity. One of our members posted a clip by Roland Martin, in which he was calling televangelist and Trump spiritual advisor Paula White “on the carpet.” He was talking about how she praises a man who calls himself a Christian, but whose acts are very unchristian. He referred to him as having cheap grace, meaning asking for forgiveness (even though 45 sees no need to ask for forgiveness), and then going out and doing the same thing again. There’s a truthful cliché that says, “as the head goes, so does the body.” We will not talk about the explosion of organizations like white supremacist groups and the Klan, or the rise in mass violence in our nation, or even the way he has handled the health crises. As we continue to deal with COVID-19, as believers in the one who died for our sins, know that there is a balm in Gilead. That balm, my brothers and sisters, is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our enslaved ancestors put it this way as a spiritual: Refrain: There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole (that Jesus will give us physical healing, even from the Coronavirus) There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul (that Jesus will give us spiritual healing, that our sins will be forgiven so we can be in right relationship with God) As we continue to shelter in place, stay at home, follow the directives of the health experts, our governor, and the common-sense God has given us, let us stay wise, safe, healthy, and prayed up. “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2nd Tim 1:7 NIV) Remember my brothers and sisters, there is a balm in Gilead, and that balm is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.