Repeating Refrain
Have you ever heard something, then heard it again, and then—heard it again?
With Christmas just passed, it’s time to look forward. Usually we talk about the New Year we are now celebrating.
Yet, the same issues go right into that New Year with us. Too many to count, personal, national, the world. We do, indeed, live in enemy territory. How much striving to right the wrongs will it take to make peace? Can it be done?
Living In Enemy Territory
Recently, I have been hearing about living in enemy territory. My pastor preached about it, a friend emailed about it, and I heard a radio interview about it. All quoted the same Scriptures. I had to pay attention!
The prophet Jeremiah urged his Jewish compatriots, who were taken captive to Babylon, to build houses, live in them, plant gardens and eat the produce, build families and increase there, seek the peace of that city so that they might have peace.
So, the question all three of my sources brought up: how do we live in our modern-day Babylon?
No, I don’t have answers, but it seems the blueprint might be found in Jeremiah.
Peace of Mind
It gave me peace of mind.
Instead of turning tizzies over all the political issues that spill over into our everyday lives, I can just do what I can do. I can’t turn back time to when respect and common sense ruled this country. But I can live a life to please my God.
And I can recognize that God is still God and His Will is going to triumph—no matter what.
Looking Up
So, while we are living in enemy territory and doing all the building (and trying to right the wrongs), we continue to look up for our salvation.
We just celebrated the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He came as a Baby. He grew up to become a great Teacher. He came as our Savior; this was His purpose. He died on the cross and He rose again from the dead to ensure that we could be with Him for all eternity, if our eyes are upon Him.
And now, still living in enemy territory, but with victory guaranteed: we look up for the signs of Jesus’ return to earth to catch us up with Him.
Hope is eternal. The future looks bright!
Living In Babylon: Jeremiah 29:4-7
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He love us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” I John 4:10 NIV.
“We love because He first loved us” I John 4:19 NIV.
Book from radio interview—Dr. Erwin Lutzer: The Church In Babylon
Amen and amen and amen…I, too, heard these words earlier this year and have taken them to heart to live in His peace in a world that is not my home. Blessings to you!
Thank you, dear friend, for this encouragement. You bring joy into my life!