Don’t be alarmed today. It’s not Monday. But I am going share a bit of a song with you today.

I have shared the song “Awake My Soul” by Phillips, Craig and Dean in the past. It is a song that I could listen to over and over again. However, in searching all of my posts, I’ve found that I have never shared this song. It’s one of my favorites. How have I missed this one? I will remedy that on another occasion.

Last night as I was heading to a prayer meeting, this song came on. Once again, yet again, I was captured by the melody and the lyrics. And on phrase in particular spoke to me.

“When I raise my hands I can touch Your face.”

I haven’t been a worship hand-raiser for long, at least not in comparison to my age. But this simple act has become an import element to my worship. When I add the above phrase to this act of worship, it really raises this element of worship to a deeper level.

Obviously, it isn’t a physical touch of Jesus’ face, but it is a spiritual touch. This phrase suggests intimacy. It suggests that we know Jesus well enough to touch Hi face. It suggests that we are His closest of friend.

When our worship is that close to Jesus, we are in true worship.

As we look to the Book of Psalm, the worship book in the Bible, we see different reasons for lifting or spreading out our hands to God. Let’s look at them.

In Psalm 28:2 (NIV), David is crying out to God for mercy. “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.”

Then there are a couple verses where David lifted his hands in praise.

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” (Psalm 63:4 – NIV) And Psalm 134:2 (NIV) says, “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”

In a section of Book of Psalm, David is filled with grief. He’s separated from his friends. He’s confined. His soul was full of trouble. And in this moment of grief, this is what David did. “I call to you, O Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you.” (Psalm 88:9 – NIV) Sometimes spreading out our hands, as in surrender, is another form of touching the face of God.

During his prayer time, we find David lifting his hands to God. “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2 – NIV)

And finally, in another Psalm, David spreads his hands out toward God when he longed for Him. “I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” (Psalm 143:6 – NIV)

I find it interesting that in the next verse David makes this comment. “Do not hide our face from me or I will be like those who go down the pit.” (Psalm 143:7 – NIV) Yes, David understood the importance of intimacy with God. We have that same opportunity.

God desires a deep, intimate relationship with each of us. Raising our hands to Him is just one way to be closer to Him.

Like David, I long to be close to God. I crave that intimate relationship. I am thankful that King David has shown us that there are many opportunities in life to develop that intimate relationship with God by the simple act of raising our hands.

Perhaps you need to cry for mercy, are filled with grief, or you feel distanced from God. If that’s case, maybe it’s time to lift your hands to the One who is able to lift you out of the pit. Maybe it’s time to touch His face.

Perhaps your prayer life has gone stale. If you feel that way, lifting your hands to the One who loves hearing your voice is your answer. Spread it all out before the One “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20 – NIV)

Perhaps your heart is filled with praise. If so, lift your hands to the One who deserves all of our praise. Enjoy His presence. Praise Him!

There are other phrases in “Awake My Soul” that touch me each time I sing them. Perhaps I’ll share more of them as the week goes along. But until then, I pray that you’ll find great joy and peace in God’s presence today.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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