Peace is not a Place

Peace is not a Place

(Jeremiah 29:1-32)

Yearly Theme:  “Peace is…”

Series Title:  “The Wisdom of Peace”

June 20^th, 2021

Something to think about:

When was the last time you could say that you were truly content?

Today, we’re exploring a very famous passage of Scripture from the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament.  Jeremiah chapter 29 gives us a glimpse into the life of the Jewish people in exile while under Babylonian rule.

Jeremiah, who is himself a part of those exiled throughout the Babylonian Empire, continues to prophesy on behalf of GOD instructing them to get settled into life in Babylon.  Of course, this isn’t something they want to hear; the Babylonians are the enemy, the oppressors.  It seems like they should be fighting and resisting the Babylonians every step of the way, and yet, Jeremiah says, “No.”

GOD’s punishment is in place, and they need to get used to life in a foreign land for a while.  70-years is the duration of the punishment, and they are not to wither and fade during that time.  They need to learn contentment living in a foreign land, under foreign rule, and they need to seek the peace and prosperity of the cities and towns in which they now live.

Let’s pick up their story today…

Turn in your Bibles to:  Jeremiah 29:1-32

So, what’s the overall takeaway this morning?

Key Point:  “Peace can be found in the most unlikely of places and circumstances if we have eyes to see it.”

Let’s take a closer look at how this works…

• Peace is not a  , it’s a way of  .

Jeremiah 29:5-7 (NLT),  ⁵ “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. ⁶ Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! ⁷ And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

• GOD’s  , though not always understood, are for  .

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT),  ¹¹ 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. ¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

• Not everyone who claims to   on behalf of GOD is for GOD.

Jeremiah 29:29-32 (NLT),  ²⁹ But when Zephaniah the priest received Shemaiah’s letter, he took it to Jeremiah and read it to him. ³⁰ Then the Lord gave this message to Jeremiah: ³¹ “Send an open letter to all the exiles in Babylon. Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Since he has prophesied to you when I did not send him and has tricked you into believing his lies, ³² I will punish him and his family. None of his descendants will see the good things I will do for my people, for he has incited you to rebel against me. I, the Lord, have spoken!’ ”

Something to take home:

Contentment and peace can only be found in Christ.  There is no other way to achieve the type of satisfaction that all people desire in this life apart from Christ.  Though the grass may seem greener “over yonder,” the home our heart longs for cannot be found in this world.  Learning contentment in this life requires eyes to see the “big picture.”  GOD’s perspective is the “big picture,” and salvation through Christ is the key to true contentment and peace.

Key Point:  “Peace can be found in the most unlikely of places and circumstances if we have eyes to see it.”