The Believers' Balm

Read Jeremiah 7-9
 
Jeremiah 7:25-26 From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now, I have continued to send my servants, the prophets day in and day out. 26 But my people have not listened to me or even tried to hear. They have been stubborn and sinful, even worse than their ancestors.
 
IT is sad to note most people are in some way chained to unbelief. They have no idea who God is even though God has “continued to send my servants, the prophets day in and day out.” What would happen if they listened and heard?
   They would try to hear all they can of God. They would seek, listen and hear his truth in the Bible guiding them each day. Believers read other learned books that help us understand the Bible. A Christ follower loves to sit under a true sermon that points to sin, salvation and sanctification.
   If one believes in God, he and she will know God has created them in his image and deeply loves them. Believing in God, people will know about the sin penalty of eternal Hell. Then they will know of God’s redeeming favor to save them unto himself. When they need comfort they will believe such words from Jesus: Matthew 6:31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
   In the days of Jeremiah God was grieved Judah did not know him. God is grieved today over his creation who do not believe in and listen to him. Graciously, though, the LORD of Heaven continues to come to the world. God’s salvation plan is still moving forward. He offers himself to know eternal life. Let’s listen and believe.   
 
Is There No Medicine?
 
Jeremiah 8:21-22 I hurt with the hurt of my people. I mourn and am overcome with grief. 22 Is there no medicine in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why is there no healing for the wounds of my people?
 
LIKELY you have grieved when someone you loved was broken by illness, temptation or addiction. You longed for them to be well. But their lives remained broken.
   Such was the heart of Jeremiah as he lamented the hardships Jerusalem’s people were experiencing and would experience for many years. The medicine in Gilead (other versions say balm in Gilead) was a healing salve made from certain trees in a region northeast of Jerusalem. It was a precious commodity to trade to foreign nations. The balm eased physical discomfort.
   But there is no medicine in Gilead or in any place to ease the pain of Jerusalem’s soul. Their disease has shut their hearts to their LORD. There was no healing in the false balm of wealth, idolatry and ignorance.
   As Jeremiah cried out for his people, he showed God’s heart. Let’s be clear. God’s will – his desire – is not to punish. His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven is to bless. But when we repeatedly decide against his law and authority, our Holy God will judge us. He made us to be his for a life of spiritual health and blessing. Instead the Jews chose a life of sickness and curses.
   Judah’s medicine would come some 100 years after this when they would return from exile. The returning generations would open, read and obey God’s Word. And we must thank God the medicine has come for us, too, in the advent of Jesus Christ. The Son’s ministry revealed the physical and healing balm of the blood of Jesus Christ “poured out as a sacrifice for you.” (Luke 22:20)
   If we believe in God, we will enjoy this unending balm to our joy and blessing. Hallelujah!