Devotion – The City Where I Live

“Also, seek the peace & 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 20:7)

God had allowed the Israelites to be carried off into exile by their enemies because they had turned away from the only true God, & was living in sin & rebellion.

He told them in seventy years He would bring them back to Himself & the place they knew as home – their city. He told them to “seek the peace & prosperity” of the city he sent them.

For me, it might be extremely hard to pray that the very enemies who had taken me captive would have peace & prosperity. But, by doing so, I, too would be able to enjoy even the enemy’s peace & prosperity . . .because I live there too.

We who live daily with health problems & other life-changing issues have, in essence “been carried into exile.” I feel I am truly “having to live in a city which I know nothing about.” This body is no longer the familiar “city” in which I used to live, & certainly not the “city” I would have chosen.

But as God told the Israelites, instead of just feeling sorry for myself & doing nothing, I have found that I do much better if I “seek peace” in this city. Having this measure of peace prompts me to maybe write a devotional, or send someone a card – even small things such as this helps others feel more prosperous in some way . . & then I prosper as I hear how you were blessed by God using me in some small way.

I think maybe the little saying, “Bloom you are planted” would fit well here. I have seen beautiful flowers that have pushed their way through cracks in hard cement – & I feel so blessed as I think of how God has worked to make this happen. If a fragile flower can endure that kind of struggle through the helping H& of our God, surely He will help me find “peace & prosperity” (bloom) in whatever situation (city) I am called to live. And, I pray the same for all of you.

About the Author:
Alice Ervin lives with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, MCS, & other health issues that come with the aging process. But, she is blessed to have the constant support of a wonderful Christian husb& who is very underst&ing & helpful–& most of all her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.