Words and Wisdom
RAISE YOUR HANDS TO THE LORD
BY ELAINE WOOD
Psalm 63:4
So I will bless You as long as I live: I will lift up my hands in Your name.
Psalm 28:2
Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
Psalms 134:2
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord.
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
Proverbs 3:5-6“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Let's think for a few minutes about raising our hands toward the Lord.
When you see a small child come running with their arms raised toward you, you quickly know they want to be held. Whether they are hurt and need help, sad and need to be held or just need a cuddle with the one they love.
Haven’t you as an adult needed to be held by the Lord? Of course, we all have. RAISE YOUR HANDS TOWARD THE LORD!
What about when you go to a basketball game with your child or grandchild playing. Or even your favorite college or pro game when your team does good you want to jump up and raise your hands and give encouragement and praise with joy.
Has the Lord answered prayers for you, met needs, kept you from harm or healed you? RAISE YOUR HANDS TOWARD THE LORD!
Perhaps the Lord has been dealing with you about something you are doing and He doesn’t want you to or something He wants you to do and you are reluctant. There comes a time when we have to say to the Lord, I surrender to Your will dear Lord. RAISE YOUR HANDS TOWARD THE LORD!
When looking in the Bible about the subject of praise, I was amazed how many scriptures actually told us to worship with our hands raised.
During praise and worship in the church service, try raising your hands to the Lord. It can be slightly raised waist high, hands shoulder high or above your head. That is not what matters. What matters is that your are connecting in your way to our Lord. In my experience, whether it is for praise, worship, needing to be near the Lord or total surrender – raising my hands to the Lord makes a tremendous difference. It's a possibility when you worship with abandon it will encourage others to do the same. Give it a try! RAISE YOUR HANDS TOWARD THE LORD!