VICTIMS OF UNEXPLAINABLE SITUATIONS

INTRODUCTION:

Millions of people are stranded, confused, frustrated, and helpless because of life-threatening challenges that cannot be explained. One of the most painful experiences in life is to find yourself in a difficult situation without understanding what brought you into it. You struggle to escape, but the more you try, the more complicated the situation becomes. Some families are battling persistent poverty, repeated disappointments, unexplained sicknesses, untimely deaths, broken relationships, and other painful circumstances. These situations made a lot of people to ask –

“Why is this happening to me?

“What have I done wrong?”

“Why is my family passing through this situation?”

“Where did the problem begin?”

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:

1. You must understand that God knows everything. God is never confused about what is happening in your life. There is nothing hidden from His sight – Psalm 139:1–4; Hebrews 4:13.

(Psalm 139:1–4 – ¹ O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. ² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. ³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. ⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.)

(Hebrews 4:13 – ¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.)

Even when you cannot understand the circumstances surrounding your life, God knows the full story. Therefore, do not conclude that your situation is beyond His knowledge.

2. You must understand that God holds the key that opens every door. There are questions human wisdom cannot answer and problems human strength cannot resolve.

Revelations 3:7-8 (⁷ These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; ⁸ I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.)

Jeremiah 32:27(²⁷ Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?);

Daniel 2:20–22 (²⁰ Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: ²¹ And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: ²² He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.)

3. You must understand that your Creator knows what is missing in your life. The God who created you understands your needs, your struggles, and the circumstances surrounding your life.

Psalm 139:13–16 (¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.);

Matthew 6:8 (⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.)

I. WHAT HAPPENED TO ISRAEL? 2 Samuel 21:1 (¹ Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.)

1. There was famine in the days of David – Israel experienced a severe shortage of food during David’s reign. A nation that should have been enjoying God’s provision found itself in a difficult situation. Famine affected the people’s livelihood, security, and daily survival.

2. The famine lasted for 3 consecutive years – Sometimes, people experience situations that seem to resist every effort to overcome them. They pray, work hard, and seek solutions, yet the problem persists. When a problem persists, seek God for understanding, wisdom, and the right course of action.

3. There was distress throughout the land – The famine affected the nation as a whole. It was not merely a personal problem; it was a national crisis. A situation that affects one person may eventually affect an entire household or community.

II. WHAT DID DAVID DO? 2 Samuel 21:1 (¹ Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.)

1. David inquired of the Lord: David understood that the situation required more than human reasoning. He needed divine direction.Instead of merely complaining about the famine, he sought to understand why it had occurred –

1 Samuel 23:2 (² Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.)

Proverbs 3:5–6 (⁵ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.)

2. The Lord answered David: God did not leave David without an answer. He revealed the reason for the famine. This teaches us the importance of prayer and seeking divine wisdom. However, David Ask God for wisdom and direction, and be willing to follow the truth He reveals through His Word and godly counsel.

3. God revealed the cause of the trouble: God explained that the famine was connected to Saul and his bloody house because he had killed the Gibeonites. Sometimes, understanding a problem’s history helps us identify the appropriate steps toward resolving it.

Nevertheless, we must not automatically attribute every sickness, accident, death, or financial difficulty to a curse or an ancestral offence. We should seek God while also considering medical, practical, and other relevant explanations.

III. WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE UNEXPLAINABLE SITUATION IN ISRAEL?

1. A broken covenant. Joshua 9:3–27.

During Joshua’s leadership, the Gibeonites deceived Israel into making a covenant with them. Although the agreement was obtained through deception, Israel’s leaders swore an oath to preserve their lives. When Saul later attacked the Gibeonites, he violated that covenant.

Words, promises, and agreements should not be treated carelessly. Integrity and faithfulness are important in our relationships with God and with other people.

2. Saul’s killing of the Gibionites. 2 Samuel 21:1–2 (¹ Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. ² And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)

Saul’s conduct had consequences that extended beyond his own lifetime and affected the nation. The decisions of leaders can affect many people. Therefore, leaders must act with justice, integrity, and reverence for God.

3. David confronted the injustice: David sought God concerning the famine and then engaged the Gibeonites to determine what would address the wrong committed against them. This demonstrates the importance of confronting wrongdoing rather than pretending it never happened.

IV. HOW WAS THE CRISIS IN ISRAEL ADDRESSED? 2 Samuel 21:2–6 (² And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) ³ Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD? ⁴ And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you. ⁵ And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, ⁶ Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.)

1. David called the Gibionites: David recognized that the people who had suffered the injustice needed to be heard. He summoned the Gibeonites to discuss the matter. Resolving a serious problem may require listening to those who have been hurt and understanding the full circumstances.

2. David asked the Gibionites the solution of the matter: David asked the Gibeonites what he could do to make amends. He did not simply dismiss their suffering or pretend that the past did not matter. A responsible leader does not ignore the consequences of wrongdoing. He seeks a just and appropriate way forward.

3. David sought to make amends for the wrong: David asked what would be required to address the injustice so that the Gibeonites could bless the inheritance of the Lord.

V. THE BRUTAL REQUEST OF THE GIBEONITES. 2 Samuel 21:4–6 (⁴ And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you. ⁵ And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, ⁶ Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.)

1. They refused monetary compensation: The Gibeonites told David that their grievance was not something they wished to settle through silver or gold.

2. They initially rejected the idea of executing an ordinary Israelite: The Gibeonites explained that they had no authority to put anyone in Israel to death on their own. David therefore asked them what they wanted him to do.

3. They requested seven male descendant of Saul: The Gibeonites requested seven male descendants of Saul to be handed over to them.

David agreed to their request, but spared Mephibosheth because of the oath he had made to Jonathan. Under the New Covenant, we are called to pursue forgiveness, justice, reconciliation, and peace. Romans 12:17–21; Ephesians 4:31–32; Hebrews 10:10.

Romans 12:17–21 (¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.)

Ephesians 4:31–32 (³¹ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: ³² And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.)

Hebrews 10:10 (¹⁰ By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.)

VI. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN YOU FACE AN UNEXPLAINABLE SITUATION?

1. Seek God sincerely in prayer: Do not allow confusion to silence your prayers.

Jeremiah 33:3 (³ Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.) Ask God for wisdom, direction, strength, and peace as you confront the situation.

2. Examine your life honestly: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify areas where you need repentance, correction, or restoration.

Psalm 139:23–24 (²³Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: ²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.)

3. Search the scriptures for direction: The Word of God provides wisdom for making decisions and responding to life’s challenges.

Psalm 119:105 (¹⁰⁵ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.)

Do not build your conclusions on fear, rumours, or unsupported accusations.

4. Seek Godly counsel: There are times when speaking with matured Christian leaders, trusted counselors, or qualified professionals can help you understand your situation.

Proverbs 11:14 (¹⁴ Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.)

5. Take practical steps towards a solution: If you are facing financial difficulties, seek sound financial advice. If you are experiencing illness, obtain appropriate medical care. If you are dealing with injustice, pursue lawful and appropriate remedies.

6. Refuse to surrender to hopelessness: Even when you do not understand what is happening, continue to trust God- Isaiah 41:10 (¹⁰ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.)

Your present difficulty does not mean that your story is finished.

CONCLUSION:

Beloved, when you discover yourself in a situation whose beginning and end you cannot explain, do not surrender to fear, confusion, or hopelessness. Perhaps your family is experiencing persistent struggles. Perhaps you are battling poverty, repeated disappointments, unexplained setbacks, or a painful situation that has continued for years. You may have prayed repeatedly without seeing the answer you desire. You may have sought help from different people without finding a lasting solution.

Your situation may be difficult to explain, but it is never beyond God’s understanding. Keep your faith alive, for your story is still in His hands.

Rev. Emmanuel Ekeke