THE BALM OF GILEAD
(Or, "Seven Sources Of Comfort When Calamity Strikes.")
Jeremiah 8:18,21,22
A) Around
700 years BC, in a section of land north of
B) Through Jeremiah, God used it as a type, or reminder of His Spiritual balm for healing mental and emotional pain when overwhelming calamities come along.
NOTE: It is believed that the primary interpretation of God's Spiritual balm in Jeremiah 8:18,21, and 22 is God's deliverance of His people from captivity if they would repent (turn from their wicked ways).
However, a valid and appropriate secondary interpretation is as presented in this lecture.
C) I have found in the New Testament what I'm going to suggest are seven of the soothing ingredients in God's Spiritual balm that make it so comforting when applied "full strength" (that is, collectively, and undiluted).
A) Romans 15:4 says, "For whatever things were written in earlier times were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
B) When disaster strikes, Christians may contribute to the stabilization of their Spiritual, mental, and emotional tranquility by adapting the following attitude, and in the following sequence.
1) We should remind ourselves that the Judge of all the earth will do right. Genesis 18:25 says, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Consequently, every decision God makes is right.
2) At times, when great emotional pain and helplessness come our way, we may not understand God's ways, or agree with His choices, but we must - by faith - acknowledge His ways, commit ourselves to them, and follow them. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
3) We are to realize that either in this life, or the next, we'll understand it by and by.
a) John 13:7 says, "Jesus answered, and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."
b) 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then, face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known."
4) When the time comes in which we know all the facts, as God does already, we'll agree with Him that every choice He made was the very best.
5) In the meanwhile, we're to rest upon the guidance of God's Word. One excellent directive is Psalm 57:1 which says in part, "... In the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."
A) Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
B) On occasion, one might be so stunned that temporarily he cannot read the Scriptures, but he can pray.
C) Notice the words, "grace to help in time of need."
D) One translator says, "grace to help just in the nick of time."
A) Acts 9:31 says in part, "Walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit."
B) On occasion, one might be so temporarily stunned that he cannot read or pray. But he can yield to the control of the Holy Spirit, Who, if there is no deliberate sin in the life of the believer, will quickly bestow comfort to his mind and emotions.
A) Philippians 2:1,2 says in part, "If there be, therefore, any comfort of love."
B) The source of this love is Christ.
C) 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 says in part, "Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself Who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work."
A) 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 says in part, "Blessed be God, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation."
B) When we are in Spiritual, mental, or emotional upheaval, whether we realize it or not, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are watching over us.
C) They also know precisely how much we can take.
D) Each second of every day, the Trinity is applying the right amount of balm for comfort and healing.
A) 2 Corinthians 1:4 says in part, "That we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God."
B) 1 Peter 5:9,10 says in part, "Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you."
C) When one is in numbing psychological shock, it is a great comfort and encouragement to hear from one who has "been there," and successfully made it through a similar disaster.
A) 1 Thessalonians 4:18 says, "Wherefore, comfort one another with these words." "These words" refer to verses 13 through 17, which speak of the rapture.
B) To the Christian, the great comfort is that regardless of how rough life is, or may become, it'll end up well when we reach Heaven.
A) What have we learned?
1) We've focused on seven Scriptural ingredients in God's Spiritual Balm which, when applied collectively and undiluted, will provide Spiritual, mental, and emotional comfort and healing for Christians in the grip of overwhelming turmoil.
2) This Spiritual Balm has ministered successfully to millions of Christians in the most devastating circumstances in life. Therefore, it is worthy of our trust that it will work in whatever stressful situation may come our way in the future.
B) B. The beautiful thing about God's Spiritual Balm is that it not only soothes the pain but it also provides healing properties that enhance and accelerate one's built-in psychological healing processes.
C) If you are not a Christian, God's great Spiritual Balm isn't going to help a lot until you become born again by trusting Jesus Christ to be your personal Savior and Lord.
D) If you are a Christian, and if you are presently in the clutches of overwhelming turmoil, do yourself a favor and apply all seven of these ingredients of God's Spiritual Balm to yourself and your situation.
E) You may be surprised at the tranquility and strength that quickly come your way.
Bob Bruton
PARKSIDE GOSPEL CHAPEL
March 12, 2000 (A.M. Service)