Most homes are built to keep its inhabitants safe from ill effects of the weather, but not the dwellings built for Succoth. During this Jewish holiday, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, worshipers live in dwellings made of leaves and branches. One requirement is that the stars must be visible through the "roof."

Obviously, this dwelling provides little protection from inclement weather. And that's the point. Living in this vulnerable shelter reminds the Jews of their dependency on God.

During the days of the prophet Isaiah, the people bragged about a very different kind of dwelling place; they had made lies their refuge and falsehood their hiding place (Isa. 28:15). Because of the Israelites' dependence on ungodly things, the Lord said to them through the prophet, "Hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place" (v.17).

Succoth calls us to examine our lives to make sure that our security rests not on lies but on God's truth. The Feast of Tabernacles reminds us that all of life is sustained by God's goodness.

When we make truth our refuge, no storm can threaten us, for we can depend on God to sustain us.  — Julie Ackerman Link