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 have welfare. (Jeremiah 29:7 NAS95)
A portion of Judah now lives in exile, in the foreign, unclean land of their enemies. God speaks through Jeremiah in a letter to a demoralized and displaced people - a people who paid little attention to God prior to exile. Yet what message does God bring them? Connect with Me; pray on behalf of the people among which you now live and pray for their welfare, the welfare of the city. When we think of judgment, we don't necessarily think of the Judge desiring relationship, nor do we think of blessing our enemies. The promise in this letter from Jeremiah indicates the exiles, in praying for their captors' welfare, would themselves experience welfare. Amazing! God longs for connection, even with those in exile, and He desires to extend blessing to others through those that are His.
God desires to expand His heart through ours. I hear Jesus living and teaching, "pray for those who persecute you," "love your enemies." God sent Judah into exile, but He desired connection with them and that they would participate in blessing their neighbors. He wanted to expand His heart through them to a foreign people, to a people who knew not God. He also desired their blessing and the blessing of Israel. As His "sent ones," God desires to bring those around us into relationship with Himself and in so doing seek the welfare of the city. Let's join in Jeremiah's admonition to pray for the welfare of our cities.
For Reflection:
“Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” (Psalms 37:3 NAS95)
- How do you perceive God’s heart toward your city and the people of your city?
- What happens when you spend time listening to God regarding the welfare of your city?
