RTW 2022

Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.
Jeremiah 29:1

Exile: to deported from a place

Taken from. Removed. Carried away.

Sometimes the exile is

• a result of our wrong decisions, disobedience, or dedication to the wrong god
• at the hand of God because He needs us to sit still, removing distractions so we can see His plan for a direction.

No matter how we get there, it’s important that we not dwindle away, that we make the most of our experience.

Remember:

• God is always with us, even in exile.
  Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]!”
  Hebrews 13:5 (AMPC)

• God is aways working on our behalf, even in exile.
  But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
  John 5:17

• God has a plan, even in exile.
  For we are his creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we may walk in them.
  Ephesians 2:10 (LEB) (Lexham English Bible)

Let our exile do its work, don’t dwindle… seek

• Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
  James 1:2-4 (MSG)

• Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!
  Psalm 105:4 (ESV)

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“I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished.”
Jeremiah 30:11b

God is a God of justice. He can’t let offenses go unpunished, for this I am thankful. God will take care of the evil that has been perpetrated on the innocent.

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Don’t waste my seasons of exile.