Sunday, March 8, 2015

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

The first time I heard this song was in the movie "The Spitfire Grill." It is a movie about redemption and healing, centered on an ex-con named Percy, who moves to a small town in Maine for a new beginning. There is a scene where Percy hikes out to a clearing overlooking the valley below. She sits down in the tall grass and begins to sing:

"There is a balm in Gilead; To make the wounded whole.
There is a balm in Gilead; To heal the sin-sick soul."

I haven't seen the movie in years, but every time I hear this song I think of the peaceful meadow and the voice of the girl in that scene. It brings me my own sense of peace as I reflect on the things in my life that need healing, and dwell in presence of God. It reminds me to be gentle with myself in the fast-paced, high-stress life that's so easy to get caught up in. For even though we all have our fair share of missteps and shortcomings, God our redeemer forgives.