Listen! “There is a balm in Gilead” is one of those old gospel songs and bible stories I used to go back to when I was weary or disappointed or just downright exhausted. My old friend and classmate from graduate school Joan Zaretti sent it my way as one of her favorites and I’m so happy she did, because I had forgotten how uplifting that song was. Of course, it’s figurative, but it is so real to me. In the story Jeremiah is explaining his convo with God and he asks “Is there no balm in Gilead?” Is there no healing, saving, hope, assistance? If we know the character of God, we know there is always a balm in Gilead.
Yesterday I had a long and hard day. I went to see a friend in the Berkshires and had to drive back at night. The GPS took me through narrow winding roads in the dark hills and I got nervous. I kept myself distracted with a podcast on my phone. Then I lost signal so it got silent up there on that dark road. And I couldn’t touch my phone because I was concentrating so hard on the road. I started humming “Balm in Gilead” and my nerves slowly settled.
I’m grateful for the assurance that my good God is always there to soothe and lift me back up and set me on a safe journey home to safety. I just have to reach out and take the balm.
Jeremiah 46:11. Go up to Gilead and take the balm.
Gospel from Friends 