WHEN GOD RAISES A MAN

WHEN GOD RAISES A MAN

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ephesians 2:6

Key Verse: “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” — Ephesians 2:6

Supporting Texts: Ephesians 2:1-10; Genesis 41:14-44; 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalm 75:6-7; Psalm 113:7-8; Daniel 6:1-3; Luke 1:52; Romans 8:17; Colossians 3:1-4.

Description: When God raises a man, He changes his position, influence, authority and usefulness according to His divine purpose.

INTRODUCTION

There are levels in life that human strength, connections and qualifications cannot attain. There are positions that cannot be secured merely by ambition, education or determination. When God decides to raise a man, He can take that person from obscurity to prominence, from rejection to acceptance, from the back side of the desert to the palace, and from a place of limitation to a place of influence.

Ephesians 2:6 reveals one of the greatest spiritual realities of the believer: God has raised us up together with Christ and has made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This speaks not merely of physical elevation but of a change of spiritual position. We have been brought from the realm of death and bondage into the realm of life, authority, fellowship and divine purpose.

Throughout Scripture, we see people whom God raised when nobody expected them to rise. Joseph was raised from prison to the palace. David was raised from following sheep to becoming king. Esther was raised from an ordinary Jewish girl to a queen who influenced the destiny of a nation. Daniel was raised to prominence in a foreign kingdom. When God raises a man, no power can permanently keep him down.

1. GOD CAN CHANGE A MAN'S POSITION

God is the ultimate lifter of men. Human beings may overlook a person, but God can locate that person. Circumstances may push someone down, but God can bring him up according to His purpose.

The position of a man can change suddenly when divine favour comes upon him. What years of human effort could not accomplish, God can accomplish by His power.

a) God raises from the low place (Psalm 113:7) – “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill.” God specialises in lifting people from places that seem insignificant. Your present position does not determine your final destination.

b) God changes seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:1) – There is a time for everything under heaven. A season of obscurity is not necessarily a permanent condition. When God's appointed time comes, He can change your season.

c) God promotes according to His purpose (Psalm 75:6-7) – “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” True promotion ultimately comes from God.

d) God can give a new position without human recommendation (1 Samuel 2:8) – God can take a person whom society has ignored and establish him among princes. Your destiny does not depend entirely on human recognition.

Biblical Example: Joseph (Genesis 41:14-44) – Joseph moved from the prison to the palace in one day. Pharaoh had the authority to change his position, but it was God who gave Joseph the wisdom that brought him before Pharaoh.

2. WHEN GOD RAISES A MAN, HE GIVES HIM DIVINE FAVOUR

Divine lifting is often accompanied by divine favour. Favour causes doors to open, brings people into remembrance and makes unusual opportunities available.

A man may possess ability, but favour can cause that ability to be recognised at the right time. When God raises a person, He can cause the right people to notice what others have ignored.

a) Favour brings remembrance (Genesis 41:9-14) – The butler remembered Joseph when Pharaoh needed someone to interpret his dream. God can cause your name to be remembered in the right place.

b) Favour opens doors (Psalm 5:12) – “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.” Divine favour can surround a person and create opportunities that human effort alone could not produce.

c) Favour gives acceptance (Esther 2:17) – Esther obtained favour in the sight of the king. God can cause you to receive acceptance where rejection seemed certain.

d) Favour makes ordinary people extraordinary (Acts 4:13) – The people recognised that Peter and John had been with Jesus. Divine presence can distinguish a person beyond academic credentials or social status.

Biblical Example: Esther (Esther 2:15-17) – Esther was an orphaned Jewish girl, yet God positioned her in the palace and gave her favour with the king so that she could become an instrument of national deliverance.

3. WHEN GOD RAISES A MAN, HE GIVES HIM INFLUENCE

God does not raise people merely for personal comfort. He raises them so that their lives can become channels of blessing to others.

Divine elevation carries responsibility. The higher God takes a person, the greater the opportunity to influence families, communities, institutions and generations.

a) God raises people to preserve others (Genesis 50:20) – Joseph understood that God had positioned him ahead of his family so that he could preserve many lives. Your elevation may be connected to the survival and advancement of others.

b) God raises people to provide solutions (Daniel 5:11-12) – Daniel became known for possessing an excellent spirit, knowledge and wisdom. God can raise you as a solution provider in your generation.

c) God raises people to influence nations (Esther 4:14) – Esther's position was connected to the preservation of her people. Your influence may extend beyond your immediate environment.

d) God raises people to shine for His glory (Matthew 5:14-16) – Jesus said believers are the light of the world. Divine elevation should make God's light more visible through your life.

Biblical Example: Daniel (Daniel 6:1-3) – Daniel distinguished himself above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him. His elevation became a testimony of God's power in a foreign kingdom.

4. WHEN GOD RAISES A MAN, HE GIVES HIM AUTHORITY

Elevation without authority can be frustrating. But when God raises a person for a particular assignment, He also provides the grace and authority necessary to function effectively.

Ephesians 2:6 tells us that believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places. This speaks of spiritual position and authority in Christ.

a) You are raised with Christ (Ephesians 2:6) – Your new position is connected to Christ. Your spiritual identity is no longer defined by your former condition.

b) You are seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6) – To be seated speaks of a position of rest, victory and authority. You are not fighting for acceptance with God; you are functioning from what Christ has accomplished.

c) Christ is above every power (Ephesians 1:20-21) – Christ is far above every principality, power, might and dominion. Your position in Him gives you confidence over spiritual opposition.

d) You can walk in divine authority (Luke 10:19) – Jesus gives His people authority over the power of the enemy. Spiritual authority must be exercised with faith and obedience.

Biblical Example: David (1 Samuel 17:45-47) – David stood before Goliath not as a helpless young shepherd but as a man who understood the authority of the name of the Lord. His confidence was rooted in God.

5. WHEN GOD RAISES A MAN, HE MUST REMAIN HUMBLE

Divine lifting should never produce pride. The higher God takes a person, the more dependent that person must remain upon God.

Many people know how to pray when they are down but forget God when they rise. The test of elevation is not only whether you can rise but whether you can remain faithful after rising.

a) Remember the source of your lifting (Deuteronomy 8:18) – God gives power to get wealth and accomplish great things. Never allow your achievement to make you forget the One who enabled you.

b) Give God the glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) – Whatever you do should ultimately bring glory to God. Your platform should become an altar of thanksgiving.

c) Do not despise those below you (Philippians 2:3-4) – Christian elevation should produce greater humility and service, not arrogance and oppression.

d) Remain dependent on God (John 15:5) – Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” Your greatest achievement cannot replace your need for God.

Biblical Example: Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28-37) – Nebuchadnezzar became proud of his greatness and was humbled by God. When he recognised God's sovereignty, his understanding and kingdom were restored. His story teaches that pride can threaten what God has allowed a person to possess.

6. WHEN GOD RAISES A MAN, HIS LIFE BECOMES A TESTIMONY

God's lifting is intended to reveal His faithfulness. When God raises a person from a low place, the testimony should point people back to Him.

Your story can become evidence that God still answers prayer, changes situations, restores destinies and raises people according to His purpose.

a) God turns shame into honour (Isaiah 61:7) – God can replace shame with a double portion and disgrace with rejoicing. Your present shame is not necessarily your final story.

b) God turns mourning into rejoicing (Psalm 30:5) – “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” God has the power to change the atmosphere of your life.

c) God makes the rejected become established (Psalm 118:22) – The stone rejected by builders became the head of the corner. Human rejection cannot cancel divine purpose.

d) God uses testimonies to strengthen others (2 Corinthians 1:4) – The comfort we receive from God can become a source of comfort to others. Your testimony may become someone else's encouragement to keep trusting God.

Biblical Example: Mordecai (Esther 6:1-11; 10:2-3) – Mordecai moved from sitting at the king's gate to receiving public honour and becoming second in command. God can change the story of a man who remains faithful.

CONCLUSION

When God raises a man, his story changes. God can change your position, release favour, increase your influence, give you authority, establish you in humility and make your life a testimony. Ephesians 2:6 reminds us that our greatest elevation is not merely earthly promotion but our spiritual position in Christ. You have been raised with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places.

Therefore, refuse to define yourself by your past, present limitations or the opinions of people. Believe God for divine lifting, remain faithful in your present assignment and prepare yourself for the opportunities that He is bringing. When God raises you, rise with humility, serve with integrity, influence others for good and give God all the glory.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, raise me from every low position and establish me in the place You have prepared for me, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, let every limitation holding my destiny down be broken by Your power, in Jesus name.

3. Father, let Your divine favour locate me and cause me to be remembered for good in the right places, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, open doors of opportunity and promotion that no human being can shut, in Jesus name.

5. Father, raise me to a level where my life will become a blessing and solution to many people, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me spiritual authority and grace to function effectively in every assignment You have given me, in Jesus name.

7. Father, deliver me from pride and keep my heart humble even when You lift me, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, turn every area of shame, delay and rejection in my life into a testimony, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my family, ministry, career and destiny experience divine lifting and establishment, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, raise me according to Your purpose and make my life a testimony that will bring glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You are coming out of every low place, and God is establishing you in a higher position of honour and usefulness.

2. You will not remain where circumstances have kept you; the hand of God is lifting you into your appointed season.

3. Divine favour will speak for you where your qualifications, connections and human efforts cannot speak for you.

4. You will be remembered for good, and your name will be mentioned in places where decisions concerning your advancement are being made.

5. God is raising you as a solution provider, and many lives will be positively affected through your wisdom and testimony.

6. Every power resisting your advancement is losing its influence over your destiny, and you are moving forward by the power of God.

7. As God lifts you, you will not fall into pride; you will remain humble, faithful and useful in His hands.

8. Your season of rejection is turning into a season of acceptance, recognition and honour.

9. Your family and everything connected to your God-given assignment will experience divine lifting and establishment.

10. You will rise, you will shine, you will fulfil your purpose, and your elevation will bring glory to God and blessing to your generation.