Seek the peace and prosperity of our country!

When God’s people were in exile, suffering under the imperialistic oppression of Babylon, false prophets told them that it will soon come to an end.  They preyed on the anger and disillusionment of the Israelites in order to become popular preachers and so they told them what they wanted to hear:  God will smite the evil Babylon soon and then everything will be fine again.

So the Lord instructed Jeremiah to write them a letter to tell them that the destruction of the evil and corrupt powers of Babylon will only take place on God’s terms and at his time.  Anger, revenge and vengeance belong to the Lord and do not bring peace of mind, joy and a future for God’s people.

What they have to do, as they live in a city alien to God, his Word and his people, is to build and construct a life for themselves and their children and grandchildren, and to pray for the prosperity of the city in which they live

We are citizens of God’s Kingdom because we seek to follow Jesus in everything we do.  All the wrongs and all the evil and all the bad governance we experience on earth can cause so much fear and anger that it robs us of the vision and passion to receive what God’s plans are for us: to prosper and not to be harmed.  (Jer29:11)

We can become so bitter that we cannot make a difference in the world anymore.

We can become so negative that our children and grandchildren may lose hope and stop expecting God’s blessings and keeping and help.

Our disillusions may bring an end to us being the salt of the earth and the light of the world

No! Let’s make a difference in the city where we live, says the Lord!

For the almighty Christ is our true King and our Leader.  He returned from the hell of Golgotha a victorious Warrior for our sake. He will, on the day of the Lord’s pleasure bring an end to all evil power and authority in this world.  That is his work to do, at his time!

What we have to do is:  (Jeremiah 29: 5 – 7):  "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.  Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.

Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

When the country in which we live prosper, God’s children and his work will prosper too.

Seek the peace and prosperity of the land where we live.

Let’s work smarter, with clear vision, hope and courage, and pray for authorities that disappointed us, that they will become efficient and successful in their task to rule and govern for the good of all.

God is on the side of his people. And God’s purpose for us is to be well. He seeks our well being and our peace! 

Through following Jesus every day, we shall overcome bitterness and then again be able to bring God’s hope and peace where we live and work and will be able to make a difference to the future of our children.