What lessons can we learn from God's control over famine in Psalm 105:16? Setting the Scene Psalm 105 traces God’s faithfulness from Abraham to the Exodus. Verse 16 sits at the pivot where God uses famine to move Jacob’s family toward Egypt, setting up Joseph’s deliverance and Israel’s eventual redemption. The Key Verse “He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.” ( Psalm 105:16 ) God’s Absolute Sovereignty over Natural Events • Famine does not arise by chance; God “called it down.” • Nature obeys its Creator just as surely as the Red Sea parts (Exodus 14:21) or the sun stands still (Joshua 10:13). • Even judgment scenes—locusts, droughts, or earthquakes—are described the same way (Joel 1:15-20; Amos 4:6-9), underscoring that the Lord rules creation moment by moment. Provision and Lack Are Both Tools in His Hand • God “cut off all their supplies of food,” showing He withholds as intentionally as He provides (Job 1:21; Deuteronomy 8:3). • The bread that sustains (Psalm 104:15) and the hunger that humbles (Deuteronomy 8:16) come from the same gracious hand. • This truth steadies the heart when resources dry up: the scarcity is never outside His plan (Philippians 4:19). Famine as a Redemptive Instrument • In Genesis 45:5-8 Joseph explains that the famine moved him ahead “to preserve life,” proving God can turn crisis into salvation. • Israel finds safety in Egypt because the famine forced them there, setting the stage for the Exodus (Genesis 46:3-4). • Similarly, Elijah’s drought leads to revival on Carmel (1 Kings 17-18); discipline can birth greater deliverance (Hebrews 12:10-11). A Call to Humble Dependence • Famine exposes human limits; only God can “open His hand” to satisfy (Psalm 145:15-16). • When barns empty, hearts soften: “Man shall not live on bread alone” (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4). • True security lies not in storage silos but in seeking the Kingdom first (Matthew 6:31-33). Anchoring Promises for Lean Seasons • Psalm 33:18-19—The Lord delivers those who fear Him from death and famine. • Psalm 37:18-19—The righteous “will not be ashamed in the time of evil; in the days of famine they will be satisfied.” • Habakkuk 3:17-19—Even if the fields yield nothing, God remains the believer’s strength. Living the Lesson Today • Hold resources loosely, stewardship tightly. • Interpret shortage as an invitation to trust, not an absence of God’s care. • Expect His larger purposes: He may be positioning you—or others—for future blessing. • Speak hope: remind fellow believers that the same God who can “call down famine” can also “command the ravens” (1 Kings 17:4-6) or “rain bread from heaven” (Exodus 16:4). Famine in Psalm 105:16 is not random catastrophe; it is the deliberate act of a sovereign, purposeful, and ultimately gracious God, directing history and hearts for His glory and His people’s good. |
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