Go up to Gilead and take balm. — Jeremiah 46:11
“There is a Balm in Gilead” – American Spiritual
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.
Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.
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.
He won’t quit or give up until he brings justice everywhere on earth, and people in foreign nations long for his teaching.
I am the Lord God. I created the heavens like an open tent above. I made the earth and everything that grows on it. I am the source of life for all who live on this earth, so listen to what I say. I chose you to bring justice, and I am here at your side. I selected and sent you to bring light and my promise of hope to the nations.
Isaiah 42:4-6 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Sometimes I feel discouraged hearing or reading the news…
- The completely dishonorable “honor killing” of Farzana Parveen and her unborn baby outside Lahore High Court, Pakistan observed by police who took no action.
- The 219 Nigerian school girls still held captive by Boko Haram terrorists. We give thanks that it is claimed another 57 girls have managed to escape their captivity.
- The election of right wing racists in France to the European Parliament, and increasing loss of confidence in mainstream parties in several other European countries, including the UK
- Yet another multiple slaying by a troubled young man in California, USA
God of Love, remove our blinkered vision, unblock our plugged up ears, and melt our stony hearts so we will love as You love us.
- the continuing violence in so many countries including the Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Mexico…
- the women and girls marginalised and oppressed merely because of their gender even suffering death
- the overlooked in our society – the homeless, those seeking but unable to find work, those without meaning in their life, those ill in body, mind or spirit and the often very limited resources available to those seeking to help alleviate these “unsexy” issues… As though value relies on perceived “sexiness”…
God of Love, remove our blinkered vision, unblock our plugged up ears, and melt our stony hearts so we will love as You love us.
Give us the courage to face our fears which so often cause us to have knee-jerk reactions to defend what is often indefensible:
- fear of someone next to us with a different language, culture and perhaps skin color
- fear of loneliness, weakness and vulnerability and most especially that which we dare not mention – death
- fear of economic meltdown, violence, difference in so many forms which often makes us aggressive and uncaring of others as we protect ourselves and those whom we know and love
Remind us again and again, Lord, and bring us up short when we want to ignore these difficulties that this is part of our need for wholeness. We cannot be whole if any are excluded, or marginalized or oppressed or suffering injustice. You call us to wholeness in You.
God of Love, you came for each and every person to whom You have given life. Take us up into the mystery of your redemptive will, so that aggression, anger and fear can be dissolved in the incomprehensible transforming action of agape-love. Bring to birth reconciliation and peace, where currently there is intransigence and hatred. Remind us through Your Holy Spirit that You died and rose again for all. No exclusions! No-one is a nobody in Your eyes. So, how can we dare to think otherwise?
In Jesus Name, we pray. AMEN.
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