Title: Let’s Pray to God, Lifting the Holy Hands
God hated the inter-tribal marriage the most because by mixing the Gentiles who believe idols, their idol-worshipping cultures and ungodly customs smear into the lives of God’s people, and led them to depart from the presence of God.
If you look at Deuteronomy 28:1-14, God promised His people that if we obey His Word, He will pour out blessings upon blessings and will make our path highway, bless us when going out and coming in. The people of Israel had forgotten what God promised to them and chose whoever they think right for themselves or their children. And that was great sin before God. Let’s look at how Ezra reacted and prayed to God in this situation when the nation was filled with great sins.
When Prophet Ezra heard of people sinning against God, he pulled some of his hair and beard, also torn his garment and robe (Ezra 9:3). It must be very painful to pull your hairs and beard. Secondly, how embarrassing it would be to tear his garment and robe. Lastly, but most importantly, Prophet Ezra lifted up his hands to God and prayed (Ezra 9:5).
There are some people in the Bible who used their hands well and be blessed by God and others who used their hands wrongly and be cursed.
- The hands that are used wrongly
- The hands of Adam and Eve
In Genesis 3:1-6, Eve took the fruit by stretching her hands. Also, she gave it to her husband, Adam also by using her hands. It was the wrong hands came into Adam and Eve and destroyed them. As a result, they were kicked out from the Garden of Eden. And God stationed Cherubim and the flaming sword to guard (Genesis 3:24) to protect the way to the tree of life from the hands of Adam, from the wrong hands (Genesis 3:22).
- The hands of the high priest (Matthew 26:62-68)
Although the physical harassment was by the servants of the high priest, it is the same as he himself doing it. The high priest asked Jesus, ‘Are you the Christ?’ and Jesus answered, ‘You are right.’ So, he became upset, thus, he spat on Jesus’ face, beat Him with his fists, yet he was not satisfied. So, he slapped Jesus and asked, ‘Who is he that slapped you?’ (Luke 22:63-65).
Jesus was the Messiah who came to save His people. If the high priest was in a responsible position, he should have recognized Jesus first and led the people to Him willingly. However, Mark 15:10 says that out of envy, they handed Jesus over. Because Jesus becomes popular and more and more people go out to listen to Jesus, the high priest regarded Jesus as an enemy and as the one who will destroy his position. So, the high priest used his hands to mock and harass Jesus, and to work against God.
- The hands of Abishai (1 Samuel 24:1-7)
After King David killed Goliath, the people of Israel praised David as the thousands but Saul thousands. So, King Saul became upset and angry. One day, he heard that David was found in the wilderness of Engedi. So, he brought 3000 of royal soldier and went to the wilderness of Engedi. King Saud tried to take a rest in the cave. However, in the same place David and his followers were hiding. One of David’s follower, Abishai suggested to King David to kill King Saul knowing that King Saul was only guarded by fewer soldiers. However, King David stopped Abishai and said “Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do things to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed. We shouldn’t use our hands or damage God’s anointed ones. If God’s anointed ones do make mistakes and do things in a wrong way, just pray for them and do not stretch your hands to destroy the anointed ones. If the anointed ones keep doing things in a wrong way, God Himself will judge them.
- The hands to destroy the temple (Ezra 6:12)
God will overthrow the people who attempt to destroy the house of God. The house of God is the church. People can destroy the church physically but also verbally. No matter what, do not be part of the force or the group that destroys Father’s church.
2. The hands that are used rightly
(1) The hands of Isaac (Genesis 26:1-2)
Seeing that Isaac received the instruction from God, he must have prayed to God when the time of famine came. So, we can say that Isaac had hands of prayer. And God answered him not to go down to Egypt but stay where he was. Isaac obeyed the Word of God and received the hundredfold blessing (Genesis 26:12).
If we have the hands of prayer and the hands of obedience, even the time of famine comes, it will be the time for us to harvest hundredfold.
(2) The hands of Moses (Exodus 14:16, Psalms 23:4)
In the hands of Moses, there was God’s rod and His staff. Through this staff, God brought about miracles and wonders. We really need God’s miracle and wonders, isn’t it? I pray that may our hands become Moses’ hands so that God’s staff be in our hands and God’s miracle may be brought about in our lives.
Conclusion:
We should lift up our holy hands
1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
As we learned, we should lift up our spiritual hands and do the work of God. Also, we should lift up our physical hands in our prayer. When we obey the Word of God, and lift our hands, our hands will become the holy hands and we will become the people with hands in the eyes of God and Father God will listen to our prayer and save us.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 