1 Samuel 2:8

Scripture:

1 Samuel 2:8 “He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He set the world on them.” (NASB)

Observation:

He needed help. When we arrived, the man needed some medical attention. We found an apartment that was filled wall-to-wall with clutter. The junk had taken over this hoarder’s life. It took us awhile to get through the small aisle just to find him. He had fallen and broken his leg. But with so much stuff around, it was difficult to get him out to get medical attention. Today's verse speaks of God raising the poor from the dust, lifting the needy from the ash heap, and then seating them with nobles. They inherit a seat of honor. After the man was transported to the hospital, our work was done. We didn't know what happened to him. A few years later, we got another call to the same location. We were shocked to find the apartment clean and all the clutter gone. The man was having difficulty breathing and needed to go to the hospital. While we waited, I asked him what happened to his life since we were last there. He told me that a local church heard his story and came and helped clean his life. All the clutter was gone and he had accepted Jesus as his Savior. With no family, the church had taken him in. He said he now serves that church as an elder and sits on the board. How the scripture had come true for him, and it can come true for us as well. As we look at all the "stuff" we have in life, we need to think about whether we have Jesus. 

Application:

• Personal Application: Continue spending time with the Lord daily. Sow righteousness and reap the fruit of God's unfailing love. 
• Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we must continue to spend time with the Lord and keep our hearts focused on His plans and purposes. Pray for them.

TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 20 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network. Tom lives with his wife, Carolyn, and children in New York. You can connect with Tom on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.