"I suffered from familiar spirits for my entire life" WHY?

**David’s Inquiry into the Famine**

David was the king of Israel, chosen by God through the prophet Samuel and anointed to rule. He was known for his victories and his ability to shepherd his people. However, there is an important story in 2 Samuel 21:1 that we need to examine.

In this chapter, David faces a significant economic crisis. It wasn't a military threat or an uprising from another nation, but a severe famine that lasted for three years. During David’s reign, Israel experienced hunger and a lack of prosperity, despite David being God's chosen king. This persistent famine is described in verse one: “Then there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year.”

The continuous nature of this famine is crucial to understand. David recognized the consistency of the issue and decided to inquire of the Lord. This act of inquiry was pivotal. Had David not sought God's guidance, the famine could have lasted indefinitely. The three-year duration was due to David's intervention.

When David inquired of the Lord, God revealed the cause of the famine. This divine communication highlights an essential principle: suffering may continue until we seek God's insight into our problems. We might blame God for not revealing the reasons behind our hardships, but God may be waiting for us to ask.

David's inquiry showed that the famine was not merely a natural occurrence but had a specific cause. In response to David’s question, God explained that the famine was due to Saul’s actions. Saul had broken a covenant by killing the Gibeonites, which brought the famine upon Israel. This revelation underscores that covenants, once broken, have significant consequences.

David then approached the Gibeonites to make amends. He asked them what he could do to atone for Saul’s actions so that they could bless Israel. The Gibeonites did not ask for gold or silver but for the lives of seven of Saul’s descendants. This request was fulfilled by David, and once the Gibeonites were satisfied, rain returned to Israel, restoring the economy.

This story illustrates that some problems stem from broken covenants and require specific actions to resolve. David's inquiry and subsequent actions ended the famine, demonstrating the importance of seeking divine guidance and making atonement for past wrongs.

For those facing persistent issues, it’s vital to inquire of the Lord. Understanding the root cause of a problem can prevent repeated mistakes and lead to solutions. David’s story teaches us that with divine insight and appropriate action, longstanding issues can be resolved.

**Lessons from David’s Inquiry**

1. **The Importance of Inquiry**: David’s decision to seek God's guidance ended the famine. We should similarly seek divine insight into our problems.

2. **Consequences of Broken Covenants**: Saul’s breach of the covenant with the Gibeonites brought a famine upon Israel, showing that broken agreements have serious repercussions.

3. **Divine Revelation and Human Action**: God's revelation to David required specific actions to resolve the issue, illustrating that divine guidance often necessitates human effort to rectify wrongs.

4. **Persistent Problems**: Just as the famine continued until David sought God's help, our problems may persist until we seek divine understanding and address the root cause.

5. **Intergenerational Consequences**: The consequences of Saul’s actions affected his descendants, highlighting that actions can have long-term impacts on future generations. For those facing persistent issues, it’s vital to inquire of the Lord. Understanding the root cause of a problem can prevent repeated mistakes and lead to solutions. David’s story teaches us that with divine insight and appropriate action, longstanding issues can be resolved.

By applying these lessons, we can better navigate our own challenges and seek the necessary guidance and actions to overcome them.

Type amen and break every familiar spirit!!