Hands Up!

09 Oct Hands Up!

Hands Up!

October 7, 2023

Hands Up

October 7, 2023

So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. Psalm 63:4

Lifting your hands can mean several things, from praise and adoration to God to a sign of surrender. It can be a sign of frustration or a cry for help. We can be instructed to raise our hands during a worship service, an activity, or an event. And sometimes, the heart moves them up without the mind being involved at all.    

For example, when the Spirit of the Lord hits you. Not just at church or in front of people. When a song of praise or deliverance bears witness with our spirit or waking from sleep with your hands lifted to God has always reminded me that my spirit man does not sleep. Also, what has happened before the hands went up makes this expression to God so special sometimes too. Just like the children of Israel did when they came back from captivity, the book of Nehemiah says, “Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Nehemiah 8:6”.

I have been a caregiver for several years, which makes it difficult to attend my church every Sunday as it is a long distance from my home. The first time I could go back to my home church, when I walked into the sanctuary, praise and worship was starting. I lifted my hands, and the tears of joy began to flow. Just thinking of his goodness and who He is. Was I out of control or acting unprofessional with this physical expression? No, sir, the presence of the Lord brings joy, breaks yokes, removes burdens, and does so much more, and we express this with the lifting of our hands to the heavens. Anyway, Psalm 134:2 says. “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord.”

There are some places and times that lifting your hands may not be appropriate, but we know how to do it inwardly or slip it in like I’ve seen some Christian athletes do when they score. The Holy Spirit will help us if we allow Him to in this area. For example, last week at the car dealership, my repair bill was 43% less than they had told me. I was calm, got to the door of my car, and my hands went straight up. It is a gesture that requires no words that is universally understood. We lift our heart and hands Toward God in heaven; Lamentations 3:41 

The Lord gives us so many reasons and opportunities to lift our hands in praise of Him. I am reminded of a song sung in Sunday School: “Count your blessings one by one; you will be surprised and amazed at all that God has done.” Stop right now, lift up your hands to the Lord Jesus Christ, and give Him some praise. You can surrender and tell Him your problems and unsolved situations, too. Just give Him the praise first. 💕

Theresa Woodard