Archives for November 22, 2014

Devotion

Refrain
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole;
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work's in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again. Refrain

If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot pray like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus
and say, "He died for all." Refrain

Don't ever be discouraged,
for Jesus is your friend;
and if you lack for knowledge
he'll ne'er refuse to lend. Refrain

This well-known traditional African American spiritual was my father's favorite hymn. The "balm in Gilead" is referenced in Jeremiah 8:22: "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" And in Jeremiah 46:11: "Go up to Gilead, and take balm."

As a young boy I asked, "Dad, what is balm?" He said, "Bennie, remember when Zipper (our dog) got in a scrap with a cat and had a bad cut on her face? That salve we put on the cut was 'balm.'"

As we walked to the house, my Dad hummed the song. Then he said, "Bennie, there will be many times in your life when you will feel discouraged or inadequate. Even your friends may pick on you and make fun of you. But always remember this: Jesus is your friend and His Spirit will give you hope and strength for each day."

These words of my Father and the song he sang have been a constant reminder—especially at those times when I felt inadequate—of the empowering love, grace and guidance of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.