Amalek was about to attack Israel, “Moses instructed Joshua to issue a call to arms to fight the army of Amalek. “Tomorrow,” Moses said, “I will stand at the top of the hill, with the rod of God in my hand!” So, Joshua went out to fight the army of Amalek. Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. And as long as Moses HELD UP THE ROD IN HIS HANDS (lifting his hands in surrender to God), ISRAEL WAS WINNING; but whenever HE LOWERED HIS ARMS, the soldiers of Amalek were winning.” (Exodus 17:9-11) Illustrating the importance of LIFTING OUR HANDS IN SURRENDER TO GOD.
There is something spiritual about lifting our hands in praise or prayer, IT’S FULL SURRENDER. I learned this when I became a Christian; the freedom in lifting our hands. It is contrary to “the norm.” We do it in faith, but when we examine and find out this amazing treasure in Scripture is as important as praise, worship, and prayer. SURRENDERING TO GOD IS A WEAPON. When Jesus hung on the cross, with His hands lifted up and NAILED IN THE AIR, scripture says that HE SPOILED PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS, triumphing over them. “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made us ALIVE TOGETHER WITH HIM, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. HAVING DISARMED PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:13-15)
David said to the Lord, “I cry out to You; Give ear to my voice. LET MY PRAYER BE SET BEFORE YOU AS INCENSE, The LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS as the evening sacrifice.” (Psalms 141:1-2) “An angel, was given MUCH INCENSE, that he should offer it with the PRAYERS OF ALL THE SAINTS upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ASCENDED BEFORE GOD from the angel’s hand.” (Revelation 8:3-4)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham