Originally posted: 11/20/2019

“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;” (2:8).

Have you ever attempted or been involved in an intervention? My family attempted to intervene on behalf a loved one… more than once… to no avail. Why were our attempts unsuccessful? “I just don’t think I need that right now.”

The most heart-wrenching chronicles of many such attempts can be seen these days on numerous television programs; loving, concerned families so desperate to see their loved one receive help. But before any assistance can be received, there must first come an acknowledgement of need.

And all too often, help is not accepted, as the need is not acknowledged, “I just don’t think I need that right now.”

“He raises the poor… He lifts the needy…”

The rich and self-sufficient need no raising, no lifting; at least their own appraisal of their condition deems it unnecessary. It is only those who recognize and acknowledge they are in need who consent to receive the intervention; who consent to be lifted from their hopeless state.

Two scenarios are revealed in 1 Samuel 2. The first is the needy Hannah, who after admitting to her desperate plight and acknowledging her need, is now lifted and celebrating her gratitude for His intervention

The second is the dismal position Eli’s two sons have chosen for themselves; who persisted in their self-indulgent lust and greed, refusing to be lifted in the only way available or possible, the way of Him Who Lifts the Needy.

Consider Him Who Lifts the Needy

The LORD Lifts the Needy, not the boastful, the arrogant. He Lifts those who come to Him in humility; those who see and recognize He alone is Holy, Unrivaled, Steadfast and All-Knowing, and also recognize their own need to be lifted.

There is no one holy like the Lord,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
³ Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the Lord is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed, (2:2-3).

• He Lifts the Needy from weakness.
  • The bows of the mighty are shattered,
    But the feeble gird on strength, (2:4).

• He Lifts the Needy from want.
  • “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,
    But those who were hungry cease to hunger.
    Even the barren gives birth to seven,
    But she who has many children languishes,” (2:5).
  • “The Lord makes poor and rich;
    He brings low, He also exalts,” (2:7).

• He Lifts the Needy from the dust.
  • “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;” (2:8).

• He Lifts the Needy from the darkness.
  • “He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
    But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
    For not by might shall a man prevail,” (2:9).

• He Lifts the Needy from His judgment.
  • “Those who contend with the Lord will be shattered;
    Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
    The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
    And He will give strength to His king,
    And will exalt the horn of His anointed,” (2:10).

How do we respond to Him Who Lifts the Needy?

Hannah’s song of praise was not about her son, Samuel. Hannah’s praise was all about Him Who Lifts the Needy. Her perceived need for a child revealed her ultimate need for His salvation.

It is often our unmet needs in this life that cause us to seek out His provision for our ultimate need, to be lifted out of His judgment through salvation in Jesus Christ.

When we acknowledge our need of salvation…
     “…what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).

…He is faithful to save.
     “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,” (Acts 16:31).

Salvation in Christ is our absolute greatest need and is our only rescue from the judgment of sin. When we place our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins, we will spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

But until we meet Him in Heaven, we will continue in this fallen world and continually find ourselves in need of what He alone can do; Lift the Needy from weakness, want, destitution and darkness.

And it is typically these needs God employs to sanctify us in Christ and set us apart to grow in our dependence on Him alone.

Let us begin each day with a declaration of faith, dependence and humility, “I know I need that right now!” As we acknowledge our great need for Him in every moment of every day, we are placed in a position to be lifted by Him Who Lifts the Needy.

• We acknowledge our need as we acknowledge Who He is.
  • “There is no one holy like the Lord,
    Indeed, there is no one besides You,
    Nor is there any rock like our God,” (2:2).

• We acknowledge our need as we remember all He has done.
  • “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;” (2:8).

• As we acknowledge our need, let us respond in praise to exalt and exult in Him Who Lifts the Needy.
  • “My heart exults in the Lord;
    My horn is exalted in the Lord,
    My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,
    Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
    ² There is no one holy like the Lord,
    Indeed, there is no one besides You,
    Nor is there any rock like our God,” (2:1-2).

Let’s Grow Together!