Sunday, March 22, 2015

High Hand Wins

In a recent post we mentioned a reference to "Elijah's chair" at a poker tournament -- an empty seat traditionally left at a Jewish Passover "seder" dinner.

It's easy to joke that during the original Passover season, the Israelites were playing poker.  How can you tell?
And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. - Exodus 14:8  (KJV)


See what we did there?  They had a "high hand." (Insert drum roll here.)  And the group with that high hand wound up winning big:
That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. - Exodus 14:30


God brought the Israelites out, through a series of miracles.  And today, God wants to help you come out of the "Egypts" of your life.
By faith he [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. - Hebrews 11:27


Israel was under slavery in Egypt for hundreds of years.  And Egypt can represent the sins which enslave our lives.  But to come out with a "high hand," it takes faith that God can help you do it.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:6


OK, we'll admit it - "high hand" in Exodus means something different than making a royal flush in poker.  "High" can mean "raised," as in worship to God.
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. - I Timothy 2:8


If something in your life has you enslaved - whether alcohol, greed, or even a gambling addiction - lift your hands in prayer to God and ask Him for help and deliverance. Do so humbly, having faith He can come to your aid.  He's done it for many - passing over repented sins, and helping them march out to a victorious new life.

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