Embracing Exile

We often hear the question, “When will things return to normal?”

It’s a good question, and one the Jews in Babylon were asking after they had been taken there as captives of Nebuchadnezzar and his cruel army. Many of their prophets were predicting a quick turnaround, and that they soon would be back in their own land, enjoying life as it had been a few short months ago.

Those were the false prophets telling the people what they wanted to hear. But Jeremiah had warned that they would be there for seventy years, certainly not music to anyone’s ears! So God quoted a letter to the exiles in order to help them adjust to their “new normal.” It read (Jeremiah 29:4-7), in part. . .
“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “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.”
Ouch! That was NOT what anyone wanted to hear, but what they needed to know. This WAS the new normal for the next seventy years!

No, it won’t be seventy years before our economy is jump started and our quarantines lifted. But there are two really good lessons here for all who will learn them. First, All things are in God’s hands, including the time trajectories of diseases and economies. Second, Today IS our life, not an interruption of it, and it is up to us whether we will pray and prosper in our exile or just hunker down and wait until it’s over. 

I’m choosing prayer and prosperity, how about you?

“Father, we thank you for this day, as it is the day you have made and ordained for us. Help us glorify you by enjoying you this day, whatever it brings. Help us rejoice in your sovereignty and grace each moment. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”
 


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