First of all, welcome back to The Balm of Gilead.  Things are changing and God is working…in my life and I pray in yours also.  I can’t explain it all, but I haven’t felt like this in a long time.  I see hurting people in a new light and with new hope.  I see people who have been battered and torn being healed by the touch of Jesus.  You, my friend, are at a specific place and it seems like you will always be there.     

                                   There is hope for you today!!

In midst of what I can see happening, I have personally gone through a time of great turmoil internally.  My heart is aching for so many.  I can not only hear the cries of the wounded, but I can feel them myself.  What I believe is happening is that I can feel the heart of God for His people.  As I am feeling God’s brokenness for His children, I also know that God will get what He wants…a relationship with His people.  Revelations 21.3 showed me God’s desire…to dwell with His people.  I will share about this very soon, but let me share with you what He showed me after that…verse 4…

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

There is a time coming when the tears will cease because the former things have passed away.  God Himself will wipe away every tear.  There won’t be any more death or sorrow or crying.  No pain either.  Why?  Because the former things have passed away.  Do you see that?  The old life will be gone.  God will live within us.  Oh friend, God’s heart is to be with His people.  He desires it so much that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to pay an atoning death for you and me.  He would rather die than live without you!!  It’s always been His desire to have a relationship with you.  When Jesus came, He was called Emmanuel.  We only hear that name during Christmas but God doesn’t want to just know you at Christmas.  He desires you…yes you!!!!!!  You could never earn it, so stop trying.  You can’t earn it.  All you have to do is receive it.

A pastor shared a word with me yesterday and I knew it meant something to me.  However, today, it came alive. 

 “For there is hope for a tree,
      If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
      And that its tender shoots will not cease.

 Though its root may grow old in the earth,
      And its stump may die in the ground,

 Yet at the scent of water it will bud
      And bring forth branches like a plant.

Friend, there is a scent of water.  I can smell it.  You know how sometimes you can smell the rain after it’s finished?  I started smelling that today…before the rain.  I’m telling you…I SMELL RAIN!!!  You may have been cut down.  You may have even cut yourself down.  Seems impossible but it can happen.  Thing is…it doesn’t matter who or even when.  Point is, there is hope!   I smell rain and that means growth. 

We are in this together.  Walk in hope and know that God loves you and desires a relationship with you.  That is what He wants…You!!!  If this online community can pray with you, please let us know.

Live long and prosper…