Dear Family and Friends,

We have been through many changes over the past five years.

The pandemic started, abated and left us with another annual vaccine. We no longer have shortages of toilet paper and other goods, just shrinkages. Extreme weather, 100+ year storms and rising sea levels are the new norms. The lessons learned from the last world war are all but forgotten.

The changes over the past half decade have been rough on all of us. Why?

Because with change comes uncertainty – a trigger of our survival instincts. For some, change leads to anxiety and even fear.

If you’re feeling uneasy about the future, God has a word for us today.

The people of Israel faced periods of uncertainty under the rule of the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.

In one of those periods, the Babylonian exile, the Israelites were displaced. Their lives underwent dramatic changes. 

The Israelites were forced to learn a new language and literature. (See Daniel 1:4). Their normal diet was changed. (See v.5). Some were given new names. (See v. 7). They were forced to fall down and worship the image of gold made by their new King. (See Daniel 3:5).

God gave a message to the Israelites in exile.

4 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:”

By sending this letter, God reassured the captives that He had not forsaken them. Yes, He was upset with them, and it was He who allowed the exile. But He did so to correct, not punish them.

5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 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.”

Given their situation, their natural instinct would be to survive, hunker down and wait out the exile. God told them to thrive instead, and use this time to grow the numbers of God’s people.

7 “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 NIV

This Bible translation uses the term prosper which we usually associate with monetary gains. The Hebrew word God spoke was shalom which means so much more.

Shalom has a range of meanings related to peace and completeness. It’s more than the absence of conflict or monetary prosperity. 

Shalom means blessings to our health, safety, and prosperity; harmonious relationships between individuals, nations, and between God and humanity. And wholeness and well-being, both physically and spiritually.

Shalom is a gift from God, stemming from obedience to Him.

These words of God are for us today.

Yes, there will be change. But Jesus has never changed, nor will He ever. 

We know that God and His plans are beyond our understanding. So, it’s best to trust in Him.

Rather than live lives commiserating about what we don’t have, let’s enjoy what we do.

And in times of change like these, let’s strive to increase our numbers by showing those overcome by change how true peace can be found in Jesus.

Allow me to close with this promise God made to the Israelites.

“This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 29:10-14 NIV

God has plans to give us shalom, hope and a future as well. 

In love always,