Lift Those Hands

“Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.” Psalms 28:2 NKJV

In one of the most powerful scenes in the movie “Lean on Me,” Joe Clark has all of his teachers lined up in the gym. He asks them to lift their hands as high as they can. He then proceeds to berate them about not adequately preparing the students they teach for success on the state tests and for success in life. He tells them that the posture they’re currently holding represents the students’ throwing their hands up in exasperation and defeat. He also tells them that this is the position in which most of the students will find themselves, except the students will be staring at the barrel of gun. It was a very moving illustration.

Often times in life, we find ourselves with our hands thrown up in exasperation and defeat. Life can bring so much pain, confusion and turmoil. Our problems can seem insurmountable, especially when we try to solve them on our own. As the situations get worse and worse, as our world crumbles around us, we eventually cry out to God in desperation and hopelessness. But just as Joe Clark had two different perspectives for raised hands, we do too. For when we throw our hands up in defeat, this places us in the perfect position for worship. It’s no wonder that the Bible tells us in several places to continually praise and worship, no matter the circumstances and at all times. So don’t be discouraged when hard times cause you to lift those hands. Just cry out to God, and worship Him. He hears you. He sees you. He knows. And He’s there.