Text: 2 Samuel 21:1-6
Memory verse:
“And this is the second thing you do: You cover the altar of the Lord with tears, With weeping and crying; So He does not regard the offering anymore, Nor receive it with goodwill from your hands.” Malachi‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬
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In my agricultural training, I learnt that one of the most stubborn weed plants is the spear grass. It is very difficult to eradicate because of its horizontal root stems called Rhizome. It is capable of producing the shoot and the root systems of a new plant. So, pulling out the plant does not affect its continuous existence as the broken stems still left underground will grow many other. Total eradication will involve completely killing the underground horizontal root stems using herbicides.
Likewise, persistent spiritual famine cannot be addressed by scratching the surface but by dealing with the root cause. In our text today, David experienced a devastating famine towards the end of his reign as king over Israel. Year after year, the mysterious famine got hard on the people. “Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; …” ‭‭(II Sam‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬).
David inquired of the Lord and God revealed that Saul was the root cause. He reminded David of how Saul broke the solemn covenant between Israel and the people of Gibeon, to continue to allow them to dwell among the Israelites and to protect them.
However, breakthrough came when he decided to inquire and to obey God’s instruction, irrespective of the price.
The Gibeonites wanted sin acknowledged and made right and not just a revenge. As soon as it was done, famine ceased in Israel. “.. So they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God heeded the prayer for the land.” ‭‭(II Sam‬ ‭21‬:‭14‬).
Friends, have you broken that solemn covenant with your spouse, to love, protect and care for her; to respect and honour him and to forsake all others? (Mal 2:13-14). As an unmarried person, have you broken your chastity vow to the Lord? (1 Thes 4:3). Don’t fuse about it but be ready to obey, to acknowledge the sin and to make things right now. I receive for you courage to do these in Jesus name.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, open my eyes to any hidden cause of spiritual famine in my life in Jesus name.
2. Father, I receive courage to acknowledge my sins before You and the one I have hurt and to make things right in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. When I inquire for the cause of a mysterious famine, God speaks to me through an inner witness, dreams and through His word.
2. Marital unfaithfulness and breaking of chastity vows are common causes of mysterious spiritual famine among the married and the unmarried today.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng