I am the Lord your God
from the land of Egypt;
I will again make you dwell in tents,
as in the days of the appointed feast. – Hosea 12:9
Though Israel enjoyed financial prosperity and fine homes, God’s judgment would bring them into exile and into a life in humble tents again. This judgment is certain because God had spoken through the prophets, yet they did not listen.
“Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) The people of Israel had confidence in their wealth, in their financial success and didn´t want to listen to Hosea. Ultimately, they didn´t want to hear God. But God had an unexpected turn in their future: they would go back to dwell in tents. They would have to leave behind all their earthly possessions and start over.
The good news is that, even though we can lose everything we have, we can never lose God. And we have the assurance that there´s nothing, absolutely nothing, that can separate us from His love.
I praise You, Father, for I am certain that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from Your love, Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.