They were exiled from Jerusalem, the city of peace. Many prophesied this exile would end quickly. But not Jeremiah. Jeremiah said, “Get comfortable. Multiply. Build houses. Prosper. You will be here a while.” (Jeremiah 29:4-14)

I have been meditating on that phrase: “Exiled from the City of Peace.”

As New Testament Christians, can we be exiled from the “City of Peace”?

Oh I know this life can be hard. I know full well about disappointment, heartache, uncertainty, loss, grief, rejection, betrayal. But can any of these situations evict me from the “City of Peace”? No.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I have left the “City of Peace” on my own volition. I have taken up residence in the cities of doubt, worry, angst, depression. But it was not my circumstances that exiled me. It was me deciding to shack up with fear, lies, accusations, and bad news.

Brothers and sisters, here is the good news: As Believers in Christ, as sons and daughters, you CANNOT be exiled from the City of Peace. Despite what is going on around you, despite the storms raging, despite the political scene, despite the sickness that is rampant around us, you are a permanent, resident in the City of Peace.

But…sometimes you must protect and guard your land. Not with guns and weapons. But we guard our hearts by meditating on God’s truth. We protect our land by preemptively praying. We protect our peace by being generous o others. We abide in the “City of Peace” when we “Abide in Jesus.”

Have you left the “City of Peace”? It’s okay. You have homestead rights. Go back home and prosper in the storm. Multiply. Build. Find peace in the middle of your circumstances.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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