The Lifestyle of Hope: Worshiping God in Spirit and Truth

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

31 but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

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As we spoke about yesterday, to put our hope in the Lord is to bind ourselves to Him as a bondservant. In our times of weariness, we bind ourselves to the Lord in ways that Jesus called spirit and truth. To bond ourselves to God in spirit is to worship from our spirit. When we meditate on Him, talk intimately to Him in prayer, and worship from the depths of our souls, singing His praises, this binds us to Him spiritually.

We must also bind ourselves to Him in truth. This is the lifestyle of hope. The word ‘truth’ in Scripture is more than the difference between what is true and false in moments where that is distinguishable. Truth is the philosophical approach to human flourishing. The world dictates that flourishing comes from indulging our own desires. The truth of Christ, however, teaches human flourishing by honoring God through considering others better than ourselves and sacrificing our desires to help others see the truth of this same approach. Everything God has done and allowed to happen has a single, ultimate purpose. It is not HIs exaltation, but ours. Exalting ourselves robs us of the strength we need to overcome the complicated and challenging issues of this life. The Creator of everything did not exalt Himself, but left His place of authority and power to be born powerless to serve the people He created. He taught and modeled this self-sacrificing lifestyle that honors God by helping others see the way. We cannot put our hope in God; we cannot bind ourselves to Him unless we choose to walk in His truth.

We do not do this begrudgingly. The word ‘hope’ also carries with it the idea of joy that comes from the expectation of good. As we bind ourselves to Him in self-sacrifice to help others find the good of His truth, we are near the source of everything good, and He loves to give to us. The expectation that comes from our confidence not only in HIs provision, but His truth should manifest in a joyful demeanor. We are called to serve Him by also being joyful always and giving thanks in all circumstances.

It is not simply serving and worshiping, but reflecting joy and positivity wherever we are. Our conversations should be positive, helping others see the truth as we live in it.

If we only serve God without adopting a positive outlook, demeanor, and mood, even in the most challenging times, we are not placing our hope in Him, and our strength will never be renewed.

Prayer: Lord, help me not to prioritize my desires and goals, but to focus on what others need to help them find the way of truth in Christ. Amen.