THERE IS STILL BALM IN GILEAD!

Dearly Beloved, THERE IS STILL 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?” (Jeremiah 8:22 NKJV). Jeremiah Chapter 8 is indeed not one of the popular passages of the Bible for the contemporary Christians! It is full of bad prophecies for the people of Judah through Prophet Jeremiah. Prophecies like: the remains of the dead of the people will not rest in peace in their graves (verses 1-2); even some of the dead will not be buried (verse 3); in spite of these, people will prefer to die rather than to live (verse 3); other people will take possession of their wives and properties (verse 10); they shall fall in time of their punishment (verse 12); they will have no fruits to harvest (verse 13); and, poisonous snakes will be sent among them (verse 17). All these bad things would happen to the people of Judah because: the people held fast to deceit and did not do the right thing (verse 5); they refused to turn from their wickedness to God (verse 9); everyone was given to covetousness (verse 10); and even their leaders were not ashamed to mislead them by proclaiming peace where was none (verses 8-11). Prophet Jeremiah mourned this situation (verses 18-21). He wondered why all these things could be happening. He concluded: “Is there no balm in Gilead…?” (verse 22). What is balm of Gilead? A balm is an aromatic, medicinal substance derived from plants. Gilead was a mountainous region east of the Jordan River. It is well known for its spices and ointments. The “balm of Gilead” was, therefore, a high-quality ointment with healing properties made from resin taken from a flowering plant in the Middle East, although the exact species is unknown. The Bible uses the term “balm of Gilead” figuratively as an example of something with healing or soothing powers (see Genesis 37:25; Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11). This balm was so common that the people of Israel even traded with it (see Ezekiel 27:17). Jeremiah could wonder: “How can a people who traded in balm be so sick?” And by inference, “How can the people of God, with the Law in their midst, be so sinful?” With the moral situation of our society like corruption, perversion, lawlessness, fraudulence, malpractices, kidnapping, cultism, drug abuse, religious extremism, terrorism and so on, one would wonder if really there is still balm in Gilead of our society. To make the situation worse, the society, especially the Nigerian society, is more religious and enlightened today than it used to be. Why is it that even our religious leaders are not helping the situation, but rather compounding it? Would God not be justified if He pronounces similar judgments on this contemporary society? No wonder, in spite of all the religious gatherings, prayer mountains, aggressive prayers and the likes that we witness nowadays, the situation is not getting better. “Is there no balm in Gilead…?” There is indeed balm in Gilead! God is still active as in the time past. Our sins and shortcomings are the major hindrances. Prophet Isaiah declared: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (59:1-2 NKJV). Examine your ways. In what ways are you doing contrary to the will of God? There is still balm in Gilead! Are you appropriately applying this balm for your spiritual healing? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will continue to apply “the balm of Gilead” for your spiritual healing.