Hebrews 12:1-2 (Amplified) – Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us…
It is time to lay aside the old and all of the things that continue to entangle us and hinder our walk with the Lord. Let us strip off and throw aside every unnecessary weight so that we might walk with Him and fulfill His plan with patient endurance and steady and active persistence.
Acts 28:3-5 – And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, no doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
Shake off the beast. Strip off all of the things that cling to you and keep you from moving forward.
Isaiah 52:1-2 – Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake yourself from the dust; arise, sit [erect in a dignified place], O Jerusalem; loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion.
Judges 15:14 – When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands.
When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon you, rise up and shake off the ropes binding you. They will be like flax burned with fire and break loose from you. There are times when the Spirit of God is moving in freedom, move with Him in whatever action He is leading you to do, and freedom will come to you.
Isaiah 60:1 – Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
2 Timothy 1:6 – That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].
Awake, arise, put on your strength, shake yourself from the dust, arise and loose yourself from the bonds of your neck. Shake off the beast. Stir up, rekindle, fan the flame of and keep burning the gift of God that is in you.
The Lord Has Cast Out Your Enemy
Zephaniah 3:14-17 – Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice, be in high spirits and glory with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem. For the Lord has taken away the judgments against you; He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, even the Lord [Himself], is in the midst of you; you shall not experience or fear evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, fear not, O Zion. Let not your hands sink down or be slow and listless. The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.
Hebrews 12:12-13 – So then, brace up and reinvigorate and set right your slackened and weakened and drooping hands and strengthen your feeble and palsied and tottering knees, and cut through and make firm and plain and smooth, straight paths for your feet [yes, make them safe and upright and happy paths that go in the right direction], so that the lame and halting [limbs] may not be put out of joint, but rather may be cured.
Isaiah 35:1-6 – The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose and the autumn crocus. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellency of [Mount] Carmel and [the plain] of Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty and splendor and excellency of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble and tottering knees. Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
The Lord has cast out your enemy. It is the Day of Blessing, the Day of Glory. Arise and shake yourself. Let not your hands sink down or be slow or listless. The Lord is with you. Brace up and reinvigorate and set right your weakened hands, strengthen your feeble and tottering knees. Cut through and make firm and plan, smooth paths for your feet.
