Hands Up
Psalms 134:2, “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.”
Morning! Welcome to a new day! Blessings to you this day that is waiting for you to push through with only positive thoughts and actions! Today, let’s talk about how we lift our hands in praise, in worship, in reverence to God. So many churches today look upon open reactions in a worship service to be unbecoming which is truly sad. Even in Jesus’ time, followers showed their praise, showed their reverence by lifting hands, singing, dancing, swaying; openly letting God know they were asking Him to come into their hearts, minds and souls. How did we get so far away from actually showing our praise? By lifting our hands, we have surrendered to God; we have allowed complete reverence to Him becoming our savior, master, teacher, protector. As we go to the altar to call on Jesus in prayer, we kneel, we relax and open our hearts to being filled with His presence. We are showing our desire to receive what God is offering, and allowing Him to provide us with the ability to “go ye therefore”, with His blessings, His guidance, His approval. In Timothy, they encouraged us to pray while lifting “holy hands”, the hands that are to reflect a pure heart, a Christ-like character, a Godly life that is free of wrath or doubts. The raising of hands means to let go of sin, let go of doubt, let go of anything that doesn’t represent the goodness and mercy of God! I feel like it’s a “reaching” of heaven, a release of all the burdens up to God for Him to take care of; an avenue for His grace and blessings to come down to us. As we lift, raise our hands we have made a declaration of reliance on Him. If we are anywhere and God’s presence touches us within our hearts we need to show Him that we accept by lifting our hands in praise! Whether in the car, on a bus, on a train, on a plane, in a crowd; wherever you are at a moment that brings you enlightened peace and surrender; lift your hands! Why do you think there are so many Psalms written, why there are so many moments of praise, so many blessings awarded yet not thanked? Ultimately, we need to realize in everything give praise, give thanks, bad or good circumstances; get your hands up, lift them high!
Scriptures:
Read: Psalm 134:2, Psalm 63:4-5, 1 Timothy 2:8, Psalm 28:2, Nehemiah 8:6, Psalm 63:3-4, Lamentations 3:41, Philippians 4:6, I Kings 8:22-23, Psalm 134:1-3; Psalm 141:2; Luke 24:50-53
Prayer:
Precious Father, thank you for the ability to show you praise at any given moment; how by lifting our hands we are inviting you to reside within us. Thank you for all that you provide, all that you protect, all that you are doing and will do to keep us worthy. Help us Father, to show our gratefulness, to let others see how praise is powerful and healing. Amen.