Loss for Gain

God has a good purpose for all things He allows to happen in our life. It is difficult to fully comprehend how things will work out for good but God holds all things in His sovereign hand to bring His purpose to completion. It is this truth that we should remember when trusting becomes difficult. When problems arise and doubts gnaw at our faith, we must cling to the truth that God is love and His love is perfect. This perfect love shall not abandon us to permanent suffering and darkness in life. Even David had to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and God allowed shadows of death and dark valleys in David’s life. He allows such things in our life too but for those who believe in God and who loves God, it is He who establishes their steps for a good purpose. Even in suffering and weakness, we have the assurance that all things work for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

– Romans 8:28 (WEB)

Setbacks and losses are detours for God’s great purpose to be accomplished. Sometimes we treat God like a genie in the bottle who, at one wish, could fulfill all our great wishes and gives us a happy and prosperous life. Then, when we finally realized that God do not operate in such manner, we question and doubt His goodness.

God is good. God is faithful. God is wise. God is love. God is just. Because God is all these and more, we tend to think He could act like a genie in a bottle for us. He answers prayers but He does not give everything we ask from Him. As a matter of fact, Christians can experience suffering yet never defeated. As Apostle Paul said,

“We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed.”

– 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (WEB)

We may encounter difficulties, trials, losses, and setbacks but we are not forsaken and we are not destroyed because God goes with us. God allows difficulties and losses in the life of Christians for a good purpose. Joseph the dreamer is one of the examples. Job’s life is also a classic evidence of this truth. But I would like to use the example of the first king of Israel, Saul, to draw biblical principle of how God uses losses as detours for His purpose to accomplish.

1 Samuel 9 tells of the story when God gave in to the request of Israel for a king to lead them even when it pained God that they rejected Him. God instructed Samuel and told him how he shall meet the first king of Israel. How did Saul meet Samuel? They met because the donkeys of Saul’s father were lost and his father asked him and one of the servants to look for the donkeys. Saul and the servant passed through four lands — Ephraim, Shalishah, Shaalim, and Benjamites — but they did not find the donkeys. The servant suggested that they seek help from the seer, Samuel. It was the time when the people offered their sacrifice in the high place such that Samuel was preparing to go and when Saul and his servant went into the city, there they met Samuel.

“When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh said to him, ‘Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! He will have authority over my people.’ ”

– 1 Samuel 9:17 (WEB)

Without even asking Saul, Samuel told him that he did not need to worry about the lost donkeys for they were found. It was then that God’s plan was revealed to Saul that He will be anointed as the king of Israel.

It is amazing how God brings detours in our life through setbacks and losses. He allows these things to happen so that His good purpose shall come to pass. The donkeys were precious livestock that they had to search hard for them in different places for many days proving how important it was that the donkeys should be found. We could have setbacks and losses of valuable things in our life. We have ambitions in our career, family, personal aspirations, business plans, and other things we hold so dear in our hearts. We search hard for success but to no avail. Our efforts are futile. But a time will come when God lights up our way and reveals to us why He allowed the setbacks and why the losses needed to happen. God uses the setbacks and losses to advance us to further gain.

Trust God when He allows detours in life. We may plan our life according to how we see it best, but God’s purpose shall prevail.

“There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.”

– Proverbs 19:21 (WEB)