Jeremiah 8:22 “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?”
The inquisitive questions of Jeremiah 8:22 are coming from God to His people who have had ample opportunity to repent so that His judgment would not have to be enacted. With His judgment coming because they failed to repent, God goes to the medical world to present two 2 rhetorical questions and then a very penetrating question. Almost sarcastically, there are the first two questions. The first question asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead?” Anyone who hears the question knows the answer is YES. As far back as the book of Genesis, BALM, a medicine, is mentioned to have been in Gilead. Everyone knows that if you need medicine, you can get it from Gilead!! Then, like the first comes the second question, “Is there not any physicians there?” Anyone with half a brain would shout out YES! of course, there are physicians in Gilead.
So, with the answer to both rhetorical questions being a resounding YES comes the question WHY THEN ARE YOU SICK?
What a sad, disappointing situation we have here. God’s people are pictured as sick and REFUSING to go get the medical treatment they needed. God’s people are in sin and have been called to repent, but they are REJECTING the call. Just as medical help was available for the physical, redemption and restoration were available for the spiritual!
What about you? Are you rejecting and resisting the spiritual guidance that God gives? You hear His message, but continue in your mess because you will not make the necessary changes. While having at your fingertips the manual for life (the Word of God), are you refusing to pick it up and read the instructions and implement them?
On your DATE with Jeremiah 8:22 on 8/22, be hard on yourself and ask yourself if you are getting the medicine (SCRIPTURE) you need to be spiritually healthy, and are you going to the One (Christ) who can provide ALL you need for life here and hereafter! Humble yourself and admit you need help! Quit thinking you can do life on your own!
Don’t have God asking you WHY you didn’t get His help!!!
Be proactive in seeing the “spiritual doctor” by beginning each day with an examination where you ask God to examine you from head to toe. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Examine me, O LORD, and see if there is any wickedness in me.” Ask Him to examine your eyes, ears, mind, mouth/lips/tongue, neck (could be stiff), shoulders, hands, feet, and most importantly, your heart. Early detection of a spiritual problem may prevent spiritual decay!
Continue Strong, apply God’s answers to your life,
And remember to DATE the Word