I knew the moment I opened my eyes this was going to be a day of praise! You may ask, how did you know?
The lyrics of a song we were singing Sunday were energizing my soul!
“I’ve got one response
I’ve got just one move
With my arms stretched wide
I will worship You
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a
Hallelujah, hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing
Hallelujah, hallelujah
So come on my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song, ’cause you’ve got a lion
Inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Oh, come on my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song, ’cause you’ve got a lion
Inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Come on my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song, ’cause you’ve got a lion
Inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord” Gratitude by Brandon Lake
I can remember one of the first times I was in a worship service when people around me were lifting their hands in worship. I was so uncomfortable; we didn’t do things like that in the church I was raised in. If the message was exceptional, you might hear one or two Amens but that was it.
But then one day when I was home with our toddlers, I started singing an old hymn and our oldest came in and lifted up her hands to me. She wanted to be picked up. As I lifted her up, with tears in my eyes, I realized why those people were lifting their hands in praise.
They weren’t shy about their gratitude and their lifted hands was a way of being picked up by the Father and embracing His presence!
With the song above on my heart, I raised my hands all by myself in my quiet living room and praised God for his faithfulness and love. “I’ll praise You again and again with a hallelujah”.
“Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to the God of heaven.” Lamentations 3:41 ERV
Don’t be shy! When we lift up our hands to the Father, He bends down and lifts us up to where we are close to His heart.
“Lord, I praise you with all my heart. I sing songs of praise to you before the gods. 2 I bow down toward your holy Temple, and I praise your name for your love and loyalty. You are famous, and doing what you promised will make you even more famous! 3 When I called to you for help, you answered me and gave me strength.” Psalm 138:1-3 CEV
“Everyone who serves the Lord, come and offer praises. Everyone who has gathered in his temple tonight, 2 lift your hands in prayer toward his holy place and praise the Lord.” Psalm 134:1-2 CEV
It might seem a bit strange at first but don’t be shy; lift up your hands and praise the Lord!
