Uniquely Prepared and Qualified

Scripture:
I have been the Lord your God
ever since the land of Egypt.
I will make you live in tents again,
as in the festival days.
Hosea 12:9

Observation: As Hosea continues to prophesy of the future destruction of Israel, the Lord discusses how he has related with Israel for centuries. One reminder is this ... Israel not only lived in tents during their entire 40 years wandering in wilderness, but every year they have a festival where they live in tents. Everyone in all of Israel owns large tents, and once a year will make a pilgrimage, set up those tents, and live in them for an entire week. As a result, member of every generation is knowledgeable of how to live in a temporary dwelling, and has both the structure and materials needed as part of their possessions.

And what is about to happen to Israel? They are about to be destroyed, and in the case of the northern kingdom they will not be hauled away, but cast out of their land and scattered. In what will seem like a moment's notice, they will be forced to leave their homes, leave their land, and with nothing but what they can carry they will have to figure out how to survive somewhere else. They will, in fact ... need to grab their tent, and go live without a home. Every member of every family actually knows how to do that.

Application: The people of Israel were all uniquely prepared for exile. Millions of them knew how to live without a home, so when they all lost their homes they at least had - on hand and ready to go - the equipment, materials, and know-how to survive.

I doubt this was the point to all this, but ... the Lord prepared them to be able to survive exile, and kept them prepared generation after generation, for centuries.

I have said this before, but I don't think I'm prepared for - and qualified to do - anything. That applies broadly to my life, even my work, but it especially applies to my service to the Lord. I have no knowledge, skills, or abilities that seem useful, and certainly not to any special level of quality or expertise. My gifting is questionable and unclear. I can no longer just show up and use early strength to help in practical ways.

The bible tells us we are all uniquely prepared and qualified for some calling from the Lord. I hope so, because I don't see it in me.

Prayer: Lord, you are my Lord and my God. I look to you for all things in my life, and I thank you so very much for your love and blessing, and your continued love and blessing upon me and my family. Even while I am bad and sinful and problematic, you are loving and kind and merciful. Thank you, my Lord. Amen.