Monday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye (Open Heavens 21 December 2015) – Not Ordinary Hands

Topic: Not Ordinary Hands [Monday 21 December, 2015]

Memorise: I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. - 1 Timothy 2:8


Read: Exodus 17:8-13 (KJV)

8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 11:16-14:25; 2 Peter 1

MESSAGE:

Several people at one point or the other have drawn God's attention to themselves by lifting up their hands to Heaven. This is a symbolic way of saying, "Lord I trust you totally with my life." You are telling God that unless He helps you, there is nothing you can do about your situation. One person who did this several times was Moses. At the Red Sea, God commanded him to lift his hands, and you know the end of the story. There is something highly significant about the hands of Moses; they were very special. Even in the battle between the children of Israel and the Amalekites, the war was won simply by Moses raising his hands up to heaven. Anytime you lift up your hands to God, you are showing your reliance and total dependence on Him. There are people struggling through life. They wake up very early and return home very late, and yet there is nothing significant to show for all their efforts. It requires more than human effort to succeed in life. You need the divine support of the Almighty God. Never trust in your position, because position is never permanent. Never trust in your intellect, because no matter how much you know, your intellect is too small to comprehend the ways of God. Never trust in your money, because money can develop wings and fly away. Put your total and absolute trust in God.

The more you look up to God, the more victories He will deliver into your hands on a platter. If anyone who is of God raises his hands to bless you, you can rest assured that you are blessed. You need to also pray to God that through your hands, there will be manifestation of signs and wonders. Apostle Paul did so many exploits with his hands. Your hands are very significant to the fulfilment of your destiny. This is why you cannot afford to toy with sin. You must be willing to engage your hands in doing things that are pleasing to God. When you serve a man of God with your hands, you are automatically transferring grace to yourself. Don't allow your hands to be lazy. Engage your hands in soul-winning and setting the captives free. Anytime you need empowerment from God, go to His presence as an empty vessel that is waiting to be filled and empowered. Lift up your hands to him so that He will know you have come to exchange your weakness for His strength. Never go before the Almighty God with the notion that you have it all. Expose all your frailties, weaknesses and failings to Him and you can be sure that before you leave His presence, you would have been filled, and whatever you lay your hands upon will begin to prosper. May that be your portion in Jesus' Name.

Prayer Point: Father, as I present my hands to You, let every dead thing my hands touch begin to receive life.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.