To look at the topic of this post, you are likely to assume the writer has lost their mind. How can there be divine losses when all we know are divine blessings? Will God cause us to suffer loss? Stay with me. Some losses are God-ordained, some small, some large. Let us get the smaller losses out of the way quickly so we can get to the big ones. Keep in mind that this is part of our positive problem series. It is where we learn to embrace problems, fully persuaded that God will turn them positive.
The small divine losses are the ones that helped to feed Ruth and Naomi when they returned from exile. The farm from which the two women fed belonged to Boaz. You may know the story of Ruth. Otherwise, read it here. Granted, Boaz was partial to the lady and asked his servants to leave more than what God prescribed. But the idea originated with God.
This is how God gave the instruction that led to small divine losses, in Leviticus 23.22. When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field. Nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor, and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.’”.
With that verse, God instituted divine losses and although we like to reject all losses, God’s mind is clear. Whenever you see God adding “I am the Lord your God” to an instruction, you had better obey. And if we resist, we may end up in exile, or worse. That is why you see stingy Christians becoming increasingly poor. They resist the God-ordained losses and the stranger in their midst starves.
Boaz Obeyed God’s Instruction For Divine Losses
Thank God that Boaz did not resist this instruction. He even added to his what Ruth could collect. He knew that they were divine losses. Little wonder God allowed him to participate in the process of bringing Jesus to us. Now, I am aware this is against what our pastors teach us. We must reject every negative issue and problem with great power and prayers. And there is a place for that.
But after we have prayed (and possibly fasted) God may give us a personal message. This is similar to what God did with Paul. That Apostle prayed and so must we. Then God told him that His grace was sufficient for Paul. That is the point at which we must embrace the divine losses. And it is because God is getting ready to bring good out of evil.
One lady I know said it this way while describing her marriage. She said God took her loaf of bread and replaced it with cake. That is somebody who knows how to embrace problems, knowing God is working out something better. Unfortunately, many of us, perhaps out of fear, hold onto the bread and miss the cake. But glory be to God, like the man who suffered loss but thanked God, some of us realize God is good.
This Man Thanked God for Divine Losses
Unlike Boaz who followed God’s direct instructions for divine losses, this man lost money out of his own carelessness. He went into a business without learning all about it. Because of such a careless attitude to his business, he lost money. So, you may wonder what he thanked God for.
First, I believe he knew that his times were in God’s hands and that God directs the paths of the righteous. Secondly, he realized God saved him from an even bigger loss. Somebody started by booking his services for an appreciable length of time. He was happy and continued to pray for an increase. That person suddenly canceled.
Before too long, somebody else booked his services, again for a long time. They also canceled. He did not know that all those were leading up to divine losses. Then a third person booked his services but for a very short period. He accepted it since half a loaf was better than none.
This time, they did not cancel but did not pay either. But, because of that carelessness we mentioned earlier, he only found out after he parted with the commission. Imagine that you provide a service, pay the agent a commission, and, in the end, you get nothing. Many of us would be in tears but not this man. He recognized that as part of divine losses and thanked God. What if it had happened with the bigger bookings?
Thirdly, he now knew his business better and would not likely suffer losses in the future. The small loss he suffered this time was like the school fees he paid for learning his business.
The Bank Situation
Writing about him reminded me of a similar instance where I suffered divine losses. Soon after I relocated, I wrote a check for my rent. Out of carelessness, I did not date the instrument with which I asked the bank to transfer the funds from my savings account to my current account.
Anytime you cross the line in the bank, there is a charge; that is the way with banks. Each time, I asked the bank manager to reverse the charge, which he would gladly do. On this occasion, since he knew me, he transferred the money on my behalf. He did not want my rent check to bounce. But there was a charge for that service.
God immediately helped me to recognize that charge as part of divine losses. As a result, I did not ask him to reverse it. Instead, I thanked God for it. Because of that, I have never forgotten to cross my T’s and dot my I’s on any banking instrument. That loss was like my school fees.
Our hope with this topic is for you to pray against negative issues. But when God speaks, embrace them. He is likely working on something better for you. Trust Him.
Maranatha!
