SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024
THE LIFTING OF OUR HANDS – Pastor Chris
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice (Psalm 141:2).
In the Scriptures, there’re copious references to the import and blessings of the lifting of our hands. Psalm 134:1-2 says, “Behold, bless ye the LORD… Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.” When we lift our hands, blessings are released; divine power flows through our hands.
Once, I was in a meeting where there were many people with arthritis, and a lot of them couldn’t lift their hands. I asked the Lord, “Why do we have so many people in that place with arthritis?”
The Lord’s response to me was very interesting. He said, “I said in my Word to lift your hands and worship me; lifting your hands in worship will keep you away from such ailments as arthritis.” Sadly, many don’t know this.
Then He said, “If those people had been praying, worshipping, praising with their hands lifted, as the Scripture says, they would have never suffered arthritis.” The things that God tells us to do are for our sake, for our blessing, such as the lifting of our hands. Every so often, in times of prayer and worship, let your hands go up.
Lifting your hands to the Lord is a sign of your recognition of His grace and glory in your life. Remember, the symbolism of the evening sacrifice offered on the brazen altar is reflected in the lifting up of our hands. Therefore, when you lift your hands in worship, it pleases God more than all the bulls and goats sacrificed on that brazen altar in the Old Testament.
David was well acquainted with the priesthood ministry in the old tabernacle. Also, he was a prophet of God, and by the Spirit, he had a revelation of the New Testament and saw that the lifting of our hands today had taken the place of the burnt offering in the Old Testament.
In 1 Timothy 2:8, the Bible says, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting.” The Apostle Paul here was referring to spiritual worship and offering of praise to the Father from a joyful heart, full of love and thanksgiving.
Even now, lift your hands and worship the Lord for His love, mercy and kindness; tell Him how much you love Him.
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PRAYERHoly Father, I lift up my hands in worship to you, in praise of your majesty, for you alone are God, worthy of all adoration. There’s none like you; you’re great and mighty. Throughout all generations, you’re the same: faithful, just, righteous, holy, pure and true. I love you, Lord!
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Kings 8:22-23* And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: 23 And he said, LORD God of Israel, [there is] no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
Lamentations 3:41
Let us lift up our heart with [our] hands unto God in the heavens.
Psalm 63:4 ESV
So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
Luke 24:50
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 19:1-27 & 1 Samuel 14-15
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 14:1-11 & Psalm 123-124
