Spiritual Treatment For The Sin-Sick Soul

A sprained ankle, so common during summer activities, can cause lingering problems if not properly treated. Minor sprains respond well to rest, ice, compression, and elevation. But people who ignore a serious sprain and keep going in spite of the pain, run the risk of a permanent injury.

A podiatric surgeon says we often get used to sprains and put up with them, but “even minor sprains should be rehabilitated so they don’t happen again.” A major injury always requires proper treatment and physical therapy .

When Jeremiah spoke the Lord’s message against the corrupt spiritual leaders of Judah, he said, “They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). He repeated the accusation of inadequate treatment for serious spiritual injury in Jeremiah 8:11, then asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there …. for the health of the daughter of my people?” (Jeremiah 8:22).

Jeremiah’s searching question inspired an old spiritual that proclaims the message of hope and forgiveness we still need today: “There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul” (see video).

That balm is the blood of Jesus for our deep wound of sin. Have we applied His balm today? (1 John 1:7-9).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets