Avoid Losses Experience Gains

Many centuries ago the Lord appeared to Solomon the king of Israel and told him how to overcome losses and experience gains. Solomon had prayed, God said...

“I have heard your prayer... when I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” [1]

The only way up from losses is down. Down on one’s knees before God, speaking to Him, not letting up until you know that you have His attention, repenting of your sins and asking Him to forgive you. Then, allow Him to do His healing, reorganizing, and transforming work in you.

God uproots and casts away those who rebel against Him: “But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My Name I will cast out of My sight and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.” [2]

God fulfills His promises to those who serve Him and to those who do not: “Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness [destroyed]. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.” [3]

God separates rejectors from receivers even as a refiner separates dross from gold and silver: “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts.” [4]

Receivers from God gain from Him lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, and love. Abiding in Him helps us to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” [5]

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” [6]

Paul speaks of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the above passage. He speaks of one hope, one faith, one baptism and one God. When a person is abiding in Christ, these beliefs and practices come forth.

God has provided for us nurturers. He calls them apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. God equips His servants for the work of ministry through them. They edify or feed the body of Christ to bring us into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the fullness of Christ. They stabilize our faith so that we will not be deceived by false teachers. They work to get us firmly joined to the body of Christ so that we grow in God’s love. [7]

God told Solomon to heed His lead. The Lord helps losers to overcome losses as we embrace Him and His ways. The Lord says, “Put off your former conduct.” “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” “Don’t give place to the devil.” “Steal no longer. “Work.” “Impart grace to hearers. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” “Put far from you bitterness and malicious evil speaking.” “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” [8]

In God’s economy, He turns love for Him and love for neighbor into blessings for all involved.

[1] 2 Chronicles 7:12-14
[2] 2 Chronicles 7:19-20
[3] Psalm 52:7-8
[4]Proverbs 17:3
[5] Ephesians 4:2-3
[6] Ephesians 4:4-6
[7] Ephesians 4:11-16
[8] Ephesians 4:22-23, 27-32