Jeremiah 8:18-22 NASB
18 My sorrow is beyond healing, My heart is faint within me!
19 Behold, listen! The cry of the daughter of my people from a distant land: “Is the LORD not in Zion? Is her King not within her?” “Why have they provoked Me with their carved images, with foreign idols?”
20 “Harvest is past, summer is over, And we are not saved.”
21 I am broken over the brokenness of the daughter of my people. I mourn, dismay has taken hold of me.
22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored?
Tips on how to cope with Holiday Depression & Stress by Indiana University of Pennsylvania
o Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable by not trying to
make the holiday “the best ever.”
o Remember that the holiday season does not automatically banish
reasons for feeling sad or lonely…
o Let go of the past! Don't be disappointed if your holidays are not like
they used to be. Life brings changes. Each holiday season is different
and can be enjoyed in its own way. You set yourself up for sadness if
everything has to be just like the “good old days.” Look toward the
future.
o Do something for someone else.
o Enjoy holiday activities that are free such as driving around to look at
Christmas decorations.
o Don't drink too much.
o Don't be afraid to try something new.
o Spend time with people who are supportive and care about you.
o Find time for yourself!
BIG IDEA: God will heal the hurting through our compassion.
1. May We Feel Sorrow for people who are Hurting (v.18)
Jeremiah 8:18 NASB
18 My sorrow is beyond healing, My heart is faint within me!
You know you’re an intercessor for the hurting when:
You are saddened by what you see…
You are heartbroken by what you hear…
You are angered by what you ask…
A - People are Hurting from what they did to themselves…
Jeremiah 8:2 NASB
“They will spread them out to the sun, the moon, and to all the heavenly lights, which they have loved, which they have served, which they have followed, which they have sought, and which they have worshiped.”
Idolatry is a self-inflicted wound to the soul…
QUESTION: How much of my hurt did I cause by putting
confidence in or giving credit to something/someone that is NOT
God?
B - People are Hurting from what was done to them…
God’s people were hurting because they were misled into error by
wicked leadership.
EXAMPLE: DMX (Earl Simmons)
Matthew 7:9-10 NASB
“ 9 Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of
bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake,
will he?”
Jeremiah 8:10-11 NASB
“…Because from the least even to the greatest Everyone is greedy for gain; From
the prophet even to the priest, Everyone practices deceit. 11 They have healed the
brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But
there is no peace.”
20 “Harvest is past, summer is over, And we are not saved.”
During these holidays remember that just because the season has
changed some people’s situation is still the same.
2. May We Be Broken over people who need Healing (v.21)
Jeremiah 8:21-22 NASB
21 I am broken over the brokenness of the daughter of my people. I mourn, dismay has taken hold of me.
22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored?
A - What can heal?
Balm (v.22) – kind of balsam; salve; as merchandise and medicine.
B - Where can healing be found?
Gilead
Genesis 37:25 NASB
“ 25 Then they sat down to eat a meal. But as they raised their eyes and looked,
behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels
carrying labdanum resin, balsam, and myrrh, on their way to bring them down to Egypt.”
Jeremiah 46:11 NASB
“Go up to Gilead and obtain balm, Virgin daughter of Egypt! You have used many remedies in vain; There is no healing for you.”
C - Who can heal?
Physicians
D - Why no healing for the people?
Whether medicine and doctors succeed or fail, they are healing
agents, but God is the Healer.
Jesus… is the balm that brings real healing to our souls.
Mark 2:17 NASB
“And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need
a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.””
Mark 5:25-29 NASB
“ 25 A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, 26 and had endured
much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not
helped at all, but instead had become worse— 27 after hearing about Jesus, she
came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. 28 For she had been
saying to herself, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” 29 And immediately
the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.”
Ask: Be honest about the hurts you feel and the healing you need.
Action Item: Connect with the person (physician)/place (Gilead)/thing
(balm) you need for healing AND Jesus.
