 |
Lifting Up Holy Hands*
BY DON GOSSETT
A Personal Confession Of Faith
I "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" 1 Timothy 2:8. Most Christians may ignore this New Testament command. But for me, I shall joyfully obey and often lift up holy hands unto God. God's will is here expressed; I am dedicated to do the will of God!
II "Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy Name" Psalm 63:2‑3. I will bless the Lord "with all that is within me." This includes the beautiful act of lifting up my hands in praise to my Lord. Not only shall my lips praise the Lord, but I will lift up my hands in His Name!
III "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord" Psalm 132:2. I know that in public worship, "all things are to be done decently and in order" 1 Corinthians 14:40. Is there anything indecent or disorderly about praising Jesus "in the sanctuary" by the lifting up of my hands? Absolutely not. Hallelujah, I shall do it. When I gather with other Christians in the Name of Jesus "in the sanctuary," I shall lift up my hands and bless the Lord.
IV "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" Psalm 141:2. The Jews were required to offer a lamb as "the evening sacrifice." Now, through Jesus, I am to offer the sacrifice of praise unto God continually (Hebrews 13:15). The lifting up of my hands in praise is as the evening sacrifice, so pleasing to my Lord!
V "I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land" Psalm 143:6. The stretching forth of my hands is an indication of my whole‑hearted and earnest thirsting after the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone can satisfy my thirst. Ordinary means of worship may be employed in ordinary times. But I possess an extraordinary thirst after the Lord; hence I stretch forth my hand unto Him!
VII I know that lifting up holy hands in prayer, praise and worship is God's desire of me. Man's order in religion is often ceremonial, ritualistic, after man's tradition. But God's order in worship is life, liberty and the lovely lifting up of my hands. I am not interested in ritual but glorious reality. ,
VII "I will bless the Lord at all times" even by the lifting up of my hands unto Him. Hallelujah!
Bold Living Card No. 41
(You may reprint up to 10 copies by permission. If you desire more than ten copies, please contact Don Gossett Ministries for pricing information.) *Copyrighted material.