A Steadfast Spirit
Shalom from Jerusalem! Let us open the book of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 26: “Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in” (Isaiah 26:2). The righteousness spoken of here is not human righteousness. The prophet Isaiah compares human righteousness to filthy rags, as it is rooted in our own efforts, achievements, and sense of worth. In contrast, God’s righteousness turns our gaze toward Him, highlighting His goodness and perfection.
When someone called Jesus “Good Teacher,” He replied: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God” (Luke 18:19). Through this, Jesus was guiding people to recognize His divine nature. The apostle Paul later affirmed that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh. Righteousness from God is not something we earn through good works, but something we receive by faith in what the Son of God has accomplished on our behalf. The more we embrace this truth, the more we are freed from the bondage of human thinking.
Yet many people are trapped in self-focus. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them'” (Galatians 3:10). Scripture urges us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. When our eyes are on Him, healing and freedom follow.
God-given righteousness naturally leads to faithfulness and devotion to the principles of His Kingdom. As Revelation declares: “He who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still” (Revelation 22:11). This is not about trying harder to be good but about the organic outflow of a transformed life. Righteousness becomes the foundation for unwavering commitment to God, whether seen or unseen by others.
Those who receive God’s righteousness are set apart — made holy. Holiness leads to sanctification through prayer and immersion in God’s Word. As Jesus prayed: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). As believers feed on God’s Word, they grow spiritually, and their spirits become strong. God’s desire is for each of us to possess a steadfast, unshakable spirit.
But this kind of spiritual strength doesn’t develop on its own. It comes through spiritual disciplines: prayer, Scripture, and fellowship. Just as a child grows under the care of parents, so spiritual maturity comes through guidance, discipleship, and community. In time, the believer matures, learns to pray, and begins to minister to others.
Isaiah emphasizes this truth: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). A steadfast spirit is not shaken by sickness, pandemics, crises, or even death. As Paul reminded the Corinthians: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Corinthians 15:19). True faith leads to a deep assurance in God’s promises and eternal hope.
Unfortunately, some believers remain spiritual infants even after many years in the congregation. The Bible confronts this stagnation, stating: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God” (Hebrews 5:12). Spiritual maturity means shifting away from self-reliance and growing in our dependence on God.
We must also recognize that the enemy targets the human spirit. “The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?” (Proverbs 18:14). When our spirit is wounded or crushed, we lose strength and perspective. The devil’s strategy is to weaken our inner being, knowing that once our spirit is defeated, everything else collapses.
In conclusion, authentic faith reveals itself in total reliance on God, especially amid trials, afflictions, and persecution. A steadfast spirit is essential for withstanding hardship while remaining loyal to the Lord. It is this kind of spirit that will not only endure life’s storms but also fulfill the divine purpose assigned to it.
Pastor Oren Lev Ari