He Raised His Hands in Public – Part 2
Standing
Standing while praying showed that, for Solomon, this was an extremely important act. It was not a casual or hurried prayer but a solemn moment in which he demonstrated reverence and commitment before God.
“Then Solomon stood before the altar…”
2 Chronicles 6:12 (NLT)
Before the Altar
Solomon raised his hands at the altar of the Lord. It was not in a stadium or at a celebration, though there is nothing wrong with raising hands to cheer for a favorite team. However, when something truly matters to us, we bring it to God’s altar and dedicate it there.
“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord…”
2 Chronicles 6:12 (NLT)
The altar is the place where we surrender to God what we value most:
• We dedicate our marriage at the altar.
• We present our children before God at the altar.
• We say farewell to the body of a loved one who has gone to heaven at the altar.
• We bring our tithes and offerings to the altar as an act of honor and worship.
Before Everyone
Solomon did not do this in private but in front of the entire assembly. When something is important to us, we give it value by doing it before witnesses.
“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of the entire assembly…”
2 Chronicles 6:12 (NLT)
The most valuable things in life are done publicly:
• We commit to God publicly.
• We get married and make our vows publicly.
• We are baptized publicly as a testimony of our faith.
• Solomon dedicated the temple publicly, showing that the act of consecration to God was something visible to everyone.
He Raised His Hands
This gesture was not just a custom but a symbol of emphasis and trust in God. It was a demonstration of the importance and holiness of the moment.
“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands in prayer.”
2 Chronicles 6:12 (NKJV)
Raising his hands was his way of saying:
• I trust fully in God.
• This moment is sacred to me.
• I acknowledge the greatness and power of the Lord.
May our prayers, commitments, and moments of worship be like Solomon’s: with reverence, at the altar, before God, and without fear of doing it in public.
Think About It:
• Do you take moments to stand before God with reverence and commitment?
• What areas of your life do you need to bring to the altar to dedicate them to God?
• Are you willing to express your faith publicly without fear or shame, as Solomon did?
He Raised His Hands in Public – Part 2
