God created Adam and Eve to enjoy the abundant life in the garden of Eden but they lost the bliss because they forgot for a moment to love their God with all their soul, mind and heart. Breech in relationship results in sin and consequent loss in a person's life. Even in David's life there were instances of loss but his basic love for God made restoration possible and easier.

David's first loss is seen in I Samuel 29,30. In 29:1-4 we read that he joined the Philistines and wanted to fight Saul without consulting God. Consequently, he had to face a great loss. Ziklag was attacked. And his kith and kin were taken captives. The Philistines did not want him and his people wanted to stone him. When David depended on his wisdom and made the decision without consulting God, he lost every thing at Ziklag. When he realized his folly, he got back all that he lost. Our faulty decisions lead to losses. Which Philistine group have we decided to join? Let us be wary while making decisions.

We read about the second loss David had to experience in I Chronicles 13:15. Instead of asking the Levites to carry the ark, David followed the pagans' way. We may be doing God's work, but instead of following God's way if we allow our will and pleasure to dominate, we may have to face losses. God likes us to obey Him first. We read about David's restoration in I Chron.15:28.

We find David's third loss in II Samuel 24. He numbered the people and consequently, he had to face the pestilence in his land. He bought the threshing floor of Araunah to build an altar. When he repented the plague stopped. Later Solomon built the Temple on this site. David would not have dreamed that the Temple would be built there.

Losses occur because of lack of knowledge. If we are rooted in the word of God and know the joy of loving God, we will never live in loss for long. Losses may occur due to momentary lapses but restoration is possible. God wants us to enjoy this life. It is our ignorance and indifference that makes us lead a miserable life. Once a preacher stayed in a posh hotel. Next morning the owner of the hotel asked him if he slept well. The preacher said that he suffered because of the cold as he did not have blankets. The owner asked "Didn't you use the blankets that were kept under the bed cover. There were three of them." God has promised a life of comfort.. It is our choice to claim those promises. If we love Him and obey Him, He is ready to give us an abundant life. We run into losses when we disobey Him.

May God bless us.