From an exhortation delivered by Pastor Brian Phillips at Holy Trinity Church.
Jeremiah 29 contains a letter written from the prophet Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon. God allowed His people to be taken into captivity and then told Jeremiah to write instructions to the exiles, offering them instruction and encouragement.
What would you want to hear if you were one of those exiles? I would want news of deliverance; the promise of judgment on our captors; news of help to come. Jeremiah says something far different.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
In other words, bloom where you are planted. They were in exile, and even that was in God’s plans and hands.
We find ourselves, somewhat, in similar circumstances. As God’s people, we are (culturally) living in a pagan land. So, what counsel does God’s Word give us? Do the next right thing. Obey where you are. Live faithfully where you are. Love the place you are in. Love your people. Get married. Have babies. Teach them to love and serve the Lord. Pray for your people, and your land, for their well-being and blessing.
So, go back to basics. Be faithful to your spouse. Love them. Love your children. Do not raise them in fear, but prepare them for life, marriage, and parenthood. NEVER say, “I wouldn’t want to raise kids in this kind of world.” Love your place – your house, neighbors, neighborhood, town, and so on. Pray and seek the welfare of your land, even if it is in exile.