LIFTING HOLY HANDS

David and Solomon were two kings who raised their hands to God, but it seems the only thing that Saul raised was a ruckus. Something supernatural happens when Holy hands are lifted, or it wouldn't be an action described in both the Old and New Testaments. It's obviously part of the "doctrine of laying on hands", and with laying them on the sick for healing as well as on believers for ordination or impartation of spiritual blessings.

SURRENDER? Yes, lifting hands is a universal act signifying surrender, and in this case it's the individuals recognition of Almighty God. No shame is attached to this sincere surrender--rather, it illustrates how "the great I AM" is no longer me-myself-and I, and that we have humbly "bowed our knee" to the wisdom and majesty of the Word of God.

MOSES: "And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed." We pray, and Joshua/Jesus does the fighting. Don't pray, and Amalek/Satan is the winner. Ex 17:11

JOSHUA: "Joshua was full of the Spirit of Wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him.." Deut 34:9 Be careful who you allow to lay hands on you--you might just get the Spirit of Confusion or worse...

DAVID: "Hear the voice of my supplication, when I cry unto thee, when I LIFT UP MY HANDS toward they holy oracle." Psalm 28:2

SOLOMON: "When Solomon had made an end of praying...he arose from before the altar of the Lord; from kneeling with his hands spread up to heaven." 1Kings 8:54

JEREMIAH: "Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God..." Lam 3:41

JESUS: "He led them out...and lifted up his hands, and blessed them." Luke 24:50

PAUL: "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up Holy hands, without wrath and doubting." 1Tim 2:8.

When Naaman came to be healed of his leprosy by Elisha, that prophet didn't even come to the door! He sent his servent to tell Naaman to wash in the Jordan seven times. Naaman was furious!

"I came all this distance to be healed, and brought all these gifts, and that's all you have to say!" He was highly insulted.

But a servant of his persuaded him to calm down and give it a chance. What did they have to lose after coming such a long way. Scripture tells us that Naaman dipped himself seven times and then, and only then, did his flesh become like a little child's and he was clean! 2KIngs 5:14.

SO SIMPLE! Nearly as simple as lifting holy hands....IF they're holy...

Laying on of hands is for healing, too!

"These signs shall follow them that believe: ...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover". Mark 16:17

And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight and glorified God. Luke 13:11-13

Mark chapter six records how Jesus visited his own hometown, where the people were offended at him. "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. Mk6:5,6.

I take it from this that TEACHING is the remedy for unbelief.

"He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these...because I go unto my Father". John14:12

My wife, Maroline, and I remember thankfully how hands were laid on us about the time of our graduation from Rhema Bible Training Center near Tulsa. We both admired Jim Zirkle (founder of Living Water Teaching Ministry to Guatemala) and Stan Abbot (former missionary to Papua, New Guinea), and were pleased to receive spiritual blessings from that special annointed twosome.

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