Do you need a raise in your life? Raise used as a verb – To help to rise or awaken, to lift up, to place higher in rank or dignity, to elevate, heighten, invigorate, to get together for a purpose to grow, cultivate, to bring to maturity, to increase the strength, intensity, to cause to rise in level or amount, to take to a higher place, to cause to ascend, or cause to multiply. Raise used as a noun, and my application for this article; a vertical or inclined opening or passageway connecting with another at a higher level. Exodus 17 tells of a battle in which Israel was fighting. Moses told his people tomorrow as we will fight I will worship and praise God by raising my hands during the battle. The next day, as the battle went on, it turned out that when Moses would raise his hands, Israel would win, but when he lowered his hands they would lose. As the day wore on Moses’ arms got tired. So Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one of them on each side, they remained raised that way until the sun went down, and as a result Israel won the battle. There is great significance in raising our hands to God. It is a glorious honor and privilege to raise our hands to our God. I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands (1Timothy 2:8) So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:4). “I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land” (Psalm 143:6) “Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven” (Lamentations 3:41). When we raise our hands to God we are saying, I am here in your presence; reach out to me, as I reach out to you. I receive you, as you speak to me, I will listen. Raising our hands is an act of submission to receive from the Lord. When we raise our hands to God we are exalting God as we stand in his presence in awe of who He is; who He has been, and always will be. Many times praying I will lift my hand to Lord when seeking Him and his direction in a prayer of surrender. I am saying, Lord I don’t know what to do or how to do it. It is beyond my human capabilities, I surrender it to you. I could just say it with my mouth, but when I raise my hands in surrender to His will, it stirs something deep in my soul. We raise our hands in praise because even though we are but small thing in His eyes, He treats us with high esteem. He knows the inner most part of our being, our heart and our thoughts. When we lift out hands to God, we lift our hands toward his holy oracle – we lift our hands to the throne of God where he sits in His mercy seat awaiting our praise. We lift and orchestrate the instruments of our arms and hands in all kinds of venues, such as sporting events and concerts. The difference being when we do it in praise and prayer, God is the audience. If I raise my arm with my hand clenched in a fist, the expression it gives off is instantly recognizable as one of defiance or anger. So it is if I raise my arm with my hands open toward God, it is easily recognizable as both giving praise and honor and an invitation to receive from the Most High. Sometime today, take the opportunity to raise your hands to God. Maybe you are like Moses and are in the heat of battle and need a miracle in your life to overcome the enemy. Maybe you feel overwhelmed, and broken. Maybe you need a job. Maybe you are like David who raised his hands for his soul was thirsty for God’s presence as the dry desert is thirsty for rain. The Psalmist said” As long as I live I will bless you and in Your name I will lift up my hands”. Raise your hands and connect with God at a higher level
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 08:03:18 +0000
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