“The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” (Proverbs 20:27)
Searching does not always lead to finding. Neither philosophy or psychology has succeeded in plumbing the depths of the human soul. Man remains a mystery to man. In this regard, the madman is especially troubling. We don’t yet understand crazy; and what we don’t understand, we fear. When the quest to get to the bottom of mental illness fails, the only recourse is to treat symptoms.
But what frightens us more and more is that anyone, at anytime, can succumb to a bout of maniacal behavior. The one that gave every appearance of having it all together can suddenly crack, and become unhinged. What was going on under the surface that no one saw? What desperation and demons was one living with?
Long ago, an astute observer of life under the sun gave this assessment of mankind’s state: “Yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” (Eccl. 9:3) Madness is in our hearts while we live; a madness that we know is there, but don’t fully understand; and with all our scientific advancements, have not been able to cure.
It is one thing to know you’re sick; it’s quite another thing to know how to get well. The God who made us knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows how we tick, and He knows what ticks us off. Without His Spirit we can’t know the deep things that pertain to His being; but He knows the deepest intricacies of all the movements of our spirit. And He alone is the author of a sound heart and mind. Those who have received the Prince of Peace have this promise: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)
Knowledge is not enough. What science has not and will never be able to do, God can and will do if we turn to Him. There is healing and health to all who receive God’s cure. His Name is Jesus Christ. We need more than our spirit which knows the problem; we need His Spirit which has the solution. He is our Peace. As we learn of Him, and walk in His Spirit, we will find rest and sanity for our souls.
A world becoming more unhinged by the day desperately needs Jesus. Each of us desperately needs Jesus. He calls us to come to Him; to learn of Him; and to find a health only He can give.