The Cure for Our Souls

by Bill Fairchild, Jr.

“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).

In every generation, diseases and illnesses of every sort are threatening our well-being and in some cases our lives. It was not so long ago that Polio was a serious illness for so many. Now in our time, cancers of every sort, HIV, and Hepatitis C have become our modern nemesis!

Each of these diseases serves to challenge the medical community and research institutions at alarming costs in the effort to find a cure.

Found in the heart of the Old Testament, the weeping prophet Jeremiah has seen with his own eyes the sickness and stubbornness of his people. He also understood that because of their rebellion against the God of heaven and His will, his people could not be healed by the “balm of Gilead.”

Gilead stood on the eastern side of the Jordan River. There would be trading caravans that traveled through this area from the east, moving south in the direction of Egypt. One of the products they brought

with them to sell was an aromatic substance used for healing, called balm. In time, then, the term “balm of Gilead” became a phrase associated with “cures” and “healing.”

Jeremiah asks a very poignant question comprised of two parts, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?” It is this type of question, asked centuries ago, that even now echoes through time and resonates with us today. It speaks to mankind of our own shared human experience of pain, brokenness, and longing for healing. It points us to the “balm of Gilead,” a symbol of God’s provision for spiritual healing.

The “balm of Gilead” was a real, tangible substance, a resin derived from a tree native to the region of Gilead. It was known for its healing properties, used to soothe and heal physical wounds. But in the context of Jeremiah’s lament, the balm of Gilead takes on a deeper, spiritual significance. It becomes a metaphor for God’s healing, a symbol of His ability to soothe our spiritual wounds and restore our broken souls.

In the same way, mankind is lost in sin and need of a Savior. God’s love for us is demonstrated in the great sacrifice of His “only begotten Son!” It is as real as the balm of Gilead, as tangible as the resin from the tree and it is by His grace and mercy that forgiveness of sins, the opportunity to be at peace with God and be adopted into His spiritual family can be obtained.

The “balm” God offers is found in the person of Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, who came to heal the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds - yours and mine! And the healing that He provides is not something to be taken lightly. It is not some sort of a superficial band-aid for the heart and soul of man, but rather it is a cleansing that reaches to the very depths of our being.

It is deep and lasting. It touches our wounds with His love, soothes our pain with His grace, and restores our souls with His truth. It is a healing that transforms us, that makes us new creatures in Christ, which brings us the joy and peace of the salvation He alone provides. And it is to be understood that the “balm” found in Jesus requires our choice and participation. We must choose to come to Him and surrender our will to His!

Meditate on this:

Joshua 22:18

but that you must turn away this day from following the Lord? And it shall be, if you rebel today against the Lord, that tomorrow He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.

What Would I be Willing to Die For?

By Jeff Curtis

Recently in an episode of Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls needed surgery. In that day and time there was no insurance to pay for such events. That doctor wouldn’t perform the surgery unless the parents had the money to pay for it. Charles, the father, went home and was willing to sell everything he owned to be able to pay for the surgery. No one could buy the farm to help him. He went looking for work and found a job digging into a mountain, handling dynamite.

He was willing to take extra risks for more hazard pay. Even if it meant his life. He was willing to die, if need be, for the love he had for his daughter Mary. I don’t know of any parent that wouldn’t be willing to die for their children or their loved ones.

In the book of Acts in chapter seven, we read of a man willing to die for his faith. Would we be willing to die for our faith? Each of us should ask, “What would I be willing to die for?” Men have died for their countries. Men have died for their families. Men have died for causes they believed in. We need to thank God, that men like Stephen have been willing to die for their faith in Jesus, even to this present day. Would you be willing to die for your faith?

As you think about that question, consider this: You will never die for your faith until you first are willing to live for it. The Christ – like attitudes of Stephen were not suddenly developed as stones began to be hurled against his body. Long before that moment, he had committed his life to the Lord and could be spoken of as “full of the Spirit and wisdom,” “full of faith,” and “full of grace and power.” His victory in death reflected his victorious life.

Have you committed your life to Jesus? If you were to die right now, could you pray, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” – and know that Jesus would be waiting to receive you with open arms? A crown of victory is waiting for you, as there was for Stephen, if you will only submit your life to the Lord.

Who Made It?

author unknown

     Sir Isaac Newton had a friend who, like himself, was a great scientist - the friend was an infidel, while Newton was a devout Christian, and they often discussed their views concerning God.

     Newton had a skillful mechanic make him a replica of our solar system. In the center was a large, gilded ball representing the sun, and revolving in their proper order around this were small balls fixed on the ends of arms of varying lengths, representing the planets. These balls were geared together by cogs and belts, so they moved in perfect harmony when turned by a crank.

     One day as Newton sat reading in his study with this mechanism on a large table near him, his infidel friend stepped in. Stepping up to it, he slowly turned the crank, and with undisguised admiration watched the heavenly bodies move in their relative speed in their orbits.

     Standing off a few feet, he exclaimed, “My! What an exquisite thing this is! Who made it?”

     Without looking up from his book, Newton answered, “Nobody!”

     Quickly turning to Newton, the infidel friend said, “Evidently you did not understand my question. I asked you who made this.”

     Looking up now, Newton solemnly assured him that nobody made it, but that the aggregation of matter so much admired had just happened to assume the form it was in.

    The astonished infidel replied with some heat, “You must think I am a fool! Of course somebody made it. He is a genius and I’d like to know who he is.”

     Laying his book aside, Newton arose and laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “This thing is but a puny imitation of a much grander system whose laws you know, and I am not able to convince you that this mere toy is without either a designer or maker! Now tell me by what sort of reasoning do you reach such an incongruous conclusion?”

Meditate on This:

1 Samuel 15:22

So, Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.