Hope Lost and Found:
Insights on God’s Plan of Salvation, Revival and Restoration

Part 9 — The Way of God's Spirit

by Harvey L. Diamond

Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 43:18-19 that the new way forthcoming would be the way of God's Spirit being poured out upon and within His people

"Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.

This was exactly what Jesus was referring to in His comment to the Samaritan woman at the well.

"Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
(John 4:13-14)

Jesus continued, providing more insight into this "new thing."

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
(John 4:23-24)

Truly, the "new thing" is the new way of worship, and new order of life: by His Spirit. Jesus affirmed this by what He said after marveling the crowd by feeding the five thousand. "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) Many, though, were confused. They couldn't comprehend this spiritual reality.

Shortly thereafter, Jesus continued the discussion. "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37-39) The Scripture adds how He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.

It wouldn't be until after His death, burial, resurrection and final ascension that the Spirit would be poured out. Then they finally understood. They got the picture! Acts 2 brought it all into perspective. Jesus went on to live for eternity.