THE GOD WHO RAISES THE POOR FROM DUST

THE GOD WHO RAISES THE POOR FROM DUST

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Samuel 2:8

Supporting Texts: Psalm 113:7-8, Isaiah 41:17-20, Job 36:7, Luke 1:52, James 1:9

INTRODUCTION:
God is not indifferent to the condition of the poor and the lowly. He is the lifter of men, the One who delights in transforming lives and reversing negative conditions. The Scriptures show us over and again that God specialises in raising the poor from the dust and setting them among princes. His mercy and power are unlimited, and no one is too low for Him to lift.

To be poor and in the dust represents a state of deep humiliation, rejection, lack, and limitation. But God is the One who turns ashes into beauty and stories into glory. No matter how far down a person has fallen, when God steps in, there will be a divine rising and repositioning. This sermon will explore the ways God lifts people and the keys that attract His elevation.

1. GOD SEES AND KNOWS YOUR CONDITION

a) God is aware of every situation of lack or humiliation
(Exodus 3:7) – God said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people.”

b) God never forgets the humble and the downtrodden
(Psalm 9:18) – "The needy shall not always be forgotten."

c) He responds in mercy to the cries of the poor
(Psalm 34:6) – "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him."

d) Even in obscurity, God's eyes are upon His children
(Job 36:7) – "He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous."

Biblical Example: God saw Hagar’s affliction in the wilderness and provided for her and her son Ishmael (Genesis 21:15-19).

2. GOD USES DIVINE INTERVENTION TO LIFT

a) He raises men by His sovereign power, not by human effort
(Psalm 75:6-7) – "Promotion comes neither from the east, nor west, but from God."

b) God uses unusual means to bring people out of obscurity
(Isaiah 45:2-3) – "I will go before thee... and give thee treasures of darkness."

c) He can change a person’s level in one day
(Genesis 41:14, 41) – Joseph was lifted from prison to palace in a day.

d) God’s intervention silences mockers and haters
(Psalm 126:1-2) – “Then was our mouth filled with laughter…”

Biblical Example: Mephibosheth was lifted from Lodebar to the king’s table through divine remembrance (2 Samuel 9:5-7).

3. GOD REWRITES DESTINIES AND STORIES

a) Divine lifting includes a change of identity
(Genesis 17:5) – Abram became Abraham, father of nations.

b) God moves people from shame to honour
(Isaiah 61:7) – “For your shame, you shall have double.”

c) God breaks generational limits and delays
(Galatians 3:13-14) – Christ redeems from the curse and releases the blessing.

d) He makes the last to become the first
(Matthew 20:16) – “So the last shall be first, and the first last.”

Biblical Example: Ruth, once a Moabite widow, was repositioned to become the great-grandmother of David (Ruth 4:13-17).

4. GOD RAISES FOR HIS OWN GLORY

a) The lifting of the poor brings glory to God
(John 9:3) – “That the works of God should be made manifest.”

b) God delights in showcasing His power through transformed lives
(1 Corinthians 1:27-29) – "God has chosen the weak to confound the mighty."

c) Every divine lifting is a platform for divine testimony
(Mark 5:19-20) – The man healed from the legion published his testimony.

d) God uses the lifted to fulfil His divine agenda
(Esther 4:14) – “Who knows whether you are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Biblical Example: David was lifted from shepherding sheep to leading a nation, and his life brought great glory to God (1 Samuel 16:11-13).

5. GOD LIFTS THOSE WHO REMAIN HUMBLE AND DEPENDENT

a) Humility attracts divine attention and favour
(James 4:10) – "Humble yourselves… and He shall lift you up."

b) The poor in spirit experience divine blessings
(Matthew 5:3) – “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”

c) Those who acknowledge their need for God qualify for elevation
(Psalm 51:17) – "A broken and contrite heart… God will not despise."

d) God resists the proud but lifts the lowly
(1 Peter 5:6) – “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God…”

Biblical Example: The publican who cried, “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” was justified before God (Luke 18:13-14).

CONCLUSION:
No one is too poor, too broken, or too forgotten for God to lift. The dust is not your destination when God is your Helper. He lifts, exalts, promotes, and repositions those who depend on Him. Every story can change, every destiny can be rewritten, and every life can rise from the ashes when God is involved.

When you stay humble, prayerful, and surrendered, your lifting is inevitable. The God who raised Joseph, David, Ruth, and Mephibosheth will raise you too. From today, expect divine elevation. God is still raising men from the dust and setting them among princes!

PRAYER POINTS:

1.  Father, thank You because You are the lifter of men.

2.  O Lord, raise me from every dust of life in Jesus’ name.

3.  Father, every shame and humiliation in my life, turn it to glory.

4.  Let my destiny helpers locate me and act in my favour.

5.  O God, rewrite my story and change my level.

6.  Father, break every limitation and barrier around my life.

7.  Lord, silence every voice mocking my condition.

8.  I reject spiritual and physical poverty by the blood of Jesus.

9.  I receive the grace to remain humble and dependent on You.

10. My season of divine lifting and celebration has come!

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

1.  You are rising from every dust of shame and stagnation!

2.  Your story is changing for glory and honour

3.  From today, the Lord is setting you among princes!

4.  Every voice mocking you shall witness your lifting!

5.  You shall be remembered for divine elevation!

6.  Your destiny shall no longer be in Lodebar – your palace awaits!

7.  The God who lifts the poor is lifting you now!

8.  You shall testify of sudden promotion!

9.  The Lord will announce you in high places!

10.  You will never be forgotten at the bottom again – rise in Jesus' name!