Oasis: Strength
June 2, 2024
Oasis: a fertile or green area in an arid region (such as a desert)/ something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast
Luke 24:27 (NKJV)
27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in ALL the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Romans 11:17-18 (NKJV)
17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
This series will focus on four things that Jesus the Messiah brought when He came. For today, we will look at strength.
Isaiah 35:1-10 (NKJV)
1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:1-2 (NKJV)
1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God.
Isaiah 35:3-4 (NKJV)
3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”
Here are three practical ways, through Jesus, you can strengthen your hands, knees, and heart
#1 Become A Worshiper
Hands refer to Worship. If you want to strengthen what you do, you are gonna have to become a Worshiper
Nehemiah 8:6 (NKJV)
6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their HANDS. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Psalm 63:3-4 (NKJV)
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
Lamentations 3:41 (NKJV)
41 Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
Psalm 134:2 (NKJV)
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord.
1 Timothy 2:8 (NKJV)
8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
#2 Make Firm the Feeble Knees
Knees refers to Prayer. If we want our knees to be firm and strengthened, we need to Pray
1 Kings 8:54 (NKJV)
54 And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
17 pray without ceasing
Philippians 4: 6 (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing (well how can you be anxious for nothing?), but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Psalm 37:5 (NKJV)
5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
#3 For Stronger Hearts and Minds, Fear has to go!
Isaiah 35:4 (NKJV)
4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be STRONG, do not fear!”
Deuteronomy 31:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.
Deuteronomy 31:23 (NKJV)
23 Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”
Joshua 1:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.
Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.