We Can Control How We React
The prophet Jeremiah is in Jerusalem. He writes a letter to the exiles in Babylon. Let’s not rush past the word exiles. These exiles suffered much.
Exiled
First, Babylon conquered the nation of Judah. Then it captured the people. Next it forcibly relocated most of them to a distant land, an arduous journey that could have been nearly a thousand miles. There they had to live in and adapt to a pagan culture.
This is what it meant for them to be exiles.
How might we react if this happened to us?
We would certainly hate our captors. We’d mourn over what we lost. We’d focus our thoughts on how to escape and return home. And we could very well be angry with God (even though he gave ample warnings).
One Response
Jeremiah’s letter to them doesn’t support any of these understandable attitudes. Instead, he tells them to do the opposite, to have a positive attitude and make the best of this terrible situation.
He instructs them to build houses and settle down. They’re to plant gardens and eat the produce. He tells them to marry and increase in numbers.
Jeremiah commands them to seek peace and pursue prosperity in the very place where they’ve been relocated. Last, they’re to pray for the nation that conquered them. If it prospers, they’ll prosper too.
These things would be hard to do. Especially the praying for their enemy part, something Jesus will later command (Matthew 5:44).
Though they had no control over what happened to them, they have complete control over how they react. Their response will make all the difference. Their future hinges on it.
The same applies to us when we find ourselves in a situation that was perpetrated on us, forced upon us against our will. We get to decide how we respond to it.
Do we fight it? Or do we seek to make the best of it? Will we be bold enough—willing enough—to pray for the people who did this to us? We will honor God if we do.
Future Promise
There’s one more thing. Jeremiah prophesies a hopeful future for them. He says in seventy years God will come to them and bring them back to their homeland (Jeremiah 29:10).
It’s an outcome that occurs exactly as promised.
When we’re amid hardships, God also promises us a better future. Though some of these assurances may be specific to our situation, there’s one that’s common to us all.
It’s the promise of eternal life with Jesus. Let us fix our gaze on him and live today in anticipation of that outcome.
[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Jeremiah 29-31, and today’s post is on Jeremiah 29:5-7.]
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
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