2021-01-18 18:28:21

Our spiritual and physical needs are intricately connected. One of the inevitable results of being distanced from God is a spiritual vacuum that needs to be filled. Originally, Adam and Eve would have experienced a wholeness in their lives when they were in a right relationship with God, both spiritually and physically. Nothing in creation can fill that vacuum. Only God the Creator of all things can satisfy that inner hunger and thirst.
 
God’s original purpose for creating mankind was to have a relationship. This is evident in the book of Beresheet (Genesis), and indeed throughout Scripture. The set of writings contained within the Scriptures are unique and amazing. Our Creator has presented the writings to mankind for a purpose, to lead us back to Him and to teach us His ways. The Scriptures have been inspired by God, to teach mankind and bring us back into a right relationship with Himself.
 
The Scriptures include passages on how to nurture and look after our bodies as well as our spiritual needs. The book of Mishlei (Proverbs) offers advice on how to ask for wisdom and encourages us to turn from anxiety and develop a lifestyle of trust in God. Mishlei chapter 17 verse 22 tells us a merry heart is good for us like a medicine, but a broken spirit has an adverse effect on the bones. This is only one example of many that encourages us to develop a correct lifestyle so that the attitude of the mind/heart can have an affect on physical health.
 
As already mentioned, God’s original purpose for creating mankind was to have a relationship. The book of Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) chapter 29 verses 12 – 13 encourages us to call on the Holy One, to pray to Him and He will listen to us. How do we know He will listen? If we are genuine in our seeking, are willing to change our lives to live by His ways, then we know He will listen because His Words never lie. In this passage of scripture, we are encouraged to seek Him with all our hearts and in verse 14 He says He will be found of us. These words were given to Israel but can also be applied to us today.
 
An imbalance exists within the very framework of our being when we are not in a right relationship with the Holy One who created us. We were designed to be at one with our Creator. He is the only One who can remedy and satisfactorily fill a spiritual vacuum.
 
Our spirits, minds, emotions, brains, and bodies are intrinsically linked. Acknowledging the need for God in our lives will be a starting point towards the renewed relationship we were designed to have. By learning to look to God for the meaning in life and believing He exists and that He loves us will result in Shalom (Peace). The word Shalom conveys more meaning than just peace. It also means harmony, wholeness, completeness, tranquility. Mishlei (Proverbs) chapter 14 verse 30 encourages us to be tranquil. True tranquility of the mind and spirit can only be experienced through trust in the Holy One. To be tranquil is to quieten the mind and be in a state of peace. This usually requires a deliberate effort on our behalf. To read God’s Word and let it speak into our hearts can have a profound affect. Yeshua the Messiah said in the book of Mattityahu (Matthew) chapter 11 verses 28 – 29 to come to Him and He will give us rest.
 
Rest in our inner beings to satisfy that thirst in our spirits. Tehillim (Psalms) chapter 107 verse 9 tells us God will satisfy the thirsty soul.
 
We live in an imperfect world. We all experience times of trial in our lives and we can’t expect that walking in God’s ways will automatically protect us from all of life’s problems. We can learn though that He is with us through life and that He will sustain us. To know that He loves us and watches over us results in a feeling of security that life without Him cannot offer.
 
The book of D’varim (Deuteronomy) chapter 6 verses 4 – 9 tells us to love the Lord God with all our hearts and minds. He loves mankind and in this passage we are advised to love Him in return. This is what we were made for, to love Him. God’s instructions are never a burden for anyone. The Messiah said His burdens are light, not heavy.
 
The Bible contains the Truth that people can rely on. What is the truth? It can be rather illusive in a worldly sense. The ‘Truth’ that can be totally relied upon is found within God’s written Word, the Scriptures.
 
It is vitally important that we understand the Holy One who created us is a God of love. I believe the depth of His love is beyond our capabilities to fully comprehend and appreciate. The human heart craves for that love. Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) chapter 29 tells us that if we seek God, He will be found of us. In the book of Yochanan (John) chapter 14 verse 6, we read Yeshua the Messiah said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
 
That is a promise because we know the Scriptures are the Truth.
 
Terry Brooks
President, MJANZ
January 2021