Devotional
When God’s people were exiled to Babylon, they faced a choice: retreat into isolation or engage faithfully with their new reality. God’s instruction was surprising—He told them to build houses, plant gardens, marry, and work for the good of Babylon while maintaining their identity as His people. This is our calling today. We live in a world that often opposes God’s values, yet we’re called to engage faithfully rather than hide away. Like those exiles, we’re to live our best lives here while never forgetting that we have a future beyond this place. Living faithfully in our “Babylon” means being excellent employees, loving neighbors, and contributing citizens while maintaining our distinct identity as followers of Christ. It means caring about the welfare of our communities, working for justice, and showing love to those around us—not because this world is our ultimate home, but because God has placed us here for a purpose. The Israelites’ faithful living in Babylon influenced an entire nation. Their integrity, wisdom, and character opened doors for God’s truth to spread. Similarly, when we live faithfully in our context, we become lights in the darkness, showing others what it looks like to follow God. This balance requires wisdom. We engage without being absorbed, we care without being consumed, and we invest without losing sight of eternity. We’re not called to go into hiding—the world needs to see authentic followers of Christ living with purpose, hope, and love in the midst of challenging circumstances.
Bible Verse
‘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.’ – Jeremiah 29:4-7
Reflection Question
In what specific ways can you “seek the peace and prosperity” of your community while maintaining your identity as a follower of Christ?
Quote
God told the children of Israel in the book of Jeremiah: “I want you to go to Babylon and I want you to live your best life in Babylon. And I want you to do good to the people of Babylon. But don’t you ever forget I got plans for you beyond Babylon. I have a future for you.”
Prayer
God, help me to live faithfully in the place You’ve put me. Give me wisdom to engage with my community in ways that honor You and bless others. Help me to be a light that points people toward You while I await my eternal home. Amen.