Concern and Compassion

O. T. #1745  "Concern and Compassion"
July 30, 2020
Jeremiah 8-Part 2
Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? (verse 22)

LET IT GLOW

Last week my cousin called to let me know that his brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer and it was also in a few other spots, but not in his bones. My heart went out to this family, but I knew it was not safe for me to visit the sick guy. What was I to do in order to show my love and support? (We cousins grew up a close family.) The Lord provided an answer. When I stopped to get gas one morning, guess who pulled up in his truck? Yes, he did. We were able to stand apart and had a good visit. I reassured him that he was not alone in this battle. Doctors have a battle plan for kemo treatments. I think his balm is the support of his family, for he lives alone. There are other ways for me to show concern and compassion.

The grace of God was available to the people of Judah, yet it was rejected. Jeremiah was overcome with grief for his people. He warned them what was coming, but they didn't want to hear it and ignored his message of repentance. If only the scribes, prophets, and priests and princes had believed Jeremiah was telling the truth and spread it to the people, leading them in admitting their sins, but they did not. Smooth words was what the people wanted and that is what they got-we are okay and God is with us. Sound familiar?
Friend, please keep reading, for there is hope ahead.

What does Jeremiah continue to say to Judah?

• God was disappointed with His vineyard, Judah. (verse 13)
• The serpents (Babylon) was coming and will bite them. (verse 17)

Devastation was coming, when their crops would be taken and destroyed by the enemies and famine was inevitable. Verse 20 says, The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

However, there was hope for Judah. If only they reached out to their God and destroyed their idols.

Five years after Jeremiah's call, the last great revival occurred under Josiah. Then, Pharoah Necho marched across northern Palestine, intending to fight the Assyrians at the Euphrates River. King Josiah, fearing that if Syria fell to Necho it would mean the end of Judah, then intercepted him at Megiddo. The armies of Judah were defeated; and Josiah, mortally wounded, died on his way to Jerusalem. (Falwell)

Oh dear one, has the summer of your life ended and you are not saved? Death can be around the corner awaiting for any of us. Behold, today is the day of salvation. Will you call on Jesus to save your soul and forgive your sins? He will. He loves you so much that He took your place for punishment of your sins and my sins.

Paul says in Romans 10:9, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart, that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Roman 10:13 says, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.

LET IT GROW

What is the balm in Gilead, as our key verse mentions?
In the Hebrew language, the world balm means to crack (as by pressure), hence to leak; distillation (purifies).
Webster's Dictionary defines balm of Gilead as a small evergreen African and Asian tree with aromatic leaves; also, an agency that soothes, relieves, or heals.

It is a resin from the styrax tree in Gilead, across the Jordan from Anathoth. This healing ointment was known from patriarchal days (Gen. 37:25) and exported. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Is there no medicine in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why is there no healing for the wounds of my people? New Living Translation

Judah's suffering, later, was the result of their sin, but Jeremiah was still broken by the brokenness of his countrymen and longed for God to apply the healing balm in Gilead to their wounds. May Jesus' church have the same concern and compassion for the suffering among God's people. (Tony Evans)

Do we have concern and compassion for others? Do we show it to them? It isn't too late. Give them a call, send a note, give a gift. We will be blessed when we do.

LET IT GO

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.
If you can't preach like Peter, if you can't pray like Paul, just tell the love of Jesus, and say He died for all.

Jesus is our balm in Gilead,