In our house, when our daughter gets a sore throat, she asks for a smoothie.
The coolness of the ice and milk blended with whatever fruit she craves does a wonderful job of coating and numbing her throat, and while our daughter is graciously patient, she wants that smoothie yesterday.
The words penned by the prophet Jeremiah sound a little like my daughter asking for the comfort of a smoothie.
Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? (Jeremiah 8:22 NIV, emphasis mine)
The balm was a substance from plants that was believed to have healing properties. Like the smoothie, it was temporary, and so it would be used over and over again. In Jeremiah’s case, he had heard God’s rebuke against His people and lamented the need for a healing that would last longer.
I mean, I can’t just make smoothies all day, right?
Jesus is the better balm. He has healing in His wings for sore throats, broken minds, and lost souls. Don’t settle for the temporary fixes that often just leave us more broken. Today, push past them to Jesus.
