August 22, 2016: SOAP #2454:  Jeremiah 28-30; 1John 3

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 29:4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 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. 7 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.”

Observation:   Because of their many sins, God caused the Babylonians to take Israel into captivity.  Some of Israel’s prophets were saying that God would soon deliver them, but Jeremiah told them they would be in exile for 70 years.  (Jeremiah 25:11)   Since they were going to be there, they should prepare for the years ahead by planting gardens, building houses, etc.  They were to pray for the peace and prosperity of Babylon because they could prosper too.

Application:   This should be my attitude about living in the United States of America.  This world/nation is not my home.  I too have been told to expect 70 years, maybe 80.  (Psalm 90:10)   I need to be living, working, and voting to bring our nation under God’s blessing and not His judgment.   I too should pray for this nation to have peace and to prosper.  However, when God’s judgment does come upon this nation for our many sins, as a part of God’s church, I can trust Him.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, lead me to use the freedom and resources available to me to further the Kingdom of God.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!