Jeremiah 29:4-7
“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 this passage, Jeremiah writes a letter to those exiled in Babylon. Notice the things mentioned: build houses, plant gardens, grow your family. And seek the welfare (shalom) of the city. Pretty extreme, right?
Seek the shalom (welfare) of the place that the Lord has sent you.
Let it click that even if you’re from here, you’ve still been sent here from the Lord. Pray for the people in our city, for your neighbors, for the city to thrive and prosper, and that it all happens for the Lord’s glory. Stay rooted, become a regular. Pray for our Church to be a community of people on mission in our city, truly seeking the welfare of it.
