Hands And Hearts

JUNE 21, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 141:1-2 LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    There are those times in life when we may feel like the author of this Psalm. “Oh Lord, I need you to answer my prayer right now. Not five minutes from now, not tomorrow, but today!” We have all had those moments in life. However, did we come to the Lord as David did? The verse says, “the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” What does that mean?

     Some denominations lift their hands all the time. Others make no gestures at all in church, or in private from what we gather. Some teach that raising your hands is the only correct posture in which to approach God. Others say it is a prideful motion and people use it to simply draw attention to themselves and therefore it takes away from glorifying God. So, which is right?

     It seems the ancient gesture in the Old Testament and in some New Testament churches was a sign of surrender and supplication. Total surrender in showing they had no weapons in their hands and a state of defenselessness. Supplication in that their hands were empty and waited upon God to fulfill their every need. Most believe it was then, and should still be today, an outward gesture to demonstrate the heart of the individual. A heart lifted to God and open to His will. The Bible records many postures for prayer and worship. The one thing God is always concerned with is your heart.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    So, is it right or wrong? Really, God cares more about your heart than your hands. Trying to show you are spiritual by lifting your hands does not impress God nor should it impress man. However, if it is a humble expression of your heart, raise them high. The most important matter is where is your heart with God?

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 21, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
1 Kings 9, 10     /     Psalm 140-141     /     Proverbs 21     /     Revelations 7-9

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Chron. 15-16           /    John 19:31-42

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12