Faithful Living in Exile: Embracing God's Sovereignty

Life often places us in situations where we feel out of place, like exiles in a foreign land. This sense of displacement is not just a historical reality for Israel in Babylon, but a spiritual reality for all of us living between the Garden of Eden and the New Jerusalem. We are a people in exile, called to live faithfully in a world that is not our true home. The story of Israel’s exile in Jeremiah 29 gives us a blueprint for how to live in this “time between the times.” God’s people were ripped from their promised land and placed in a hostile, ungodly culture, yet God made it clear that their presence in Babylon was not a mistake or a punishment, but part of His sovereign and good plan.

God’s sovereignty means that even when life feels chaotic or painful, He is still in control. The Israelites’ exile, like the suffering of Jesus on the cross, was not outside of God’s plan. In fact, God often works through pain and difficulty to accomplish His purposes. Our call is to trust Him, even when we cannot see the outcome, knowing that He is working for our ultimate good and His glory.

Rather than withdrawing from the world or simply enduring until we can “go home,” we are called to integrate into our communities. God told the exiles to build houses, plant gardens, and seek the well-being of the city. This means investing in the lives of those around us, even those who do not share our faith or values. We are not to isolate ourselves in a Christian bubble, but to be present, engaged, and loving neighbors, reflecting the incarnational example of Jesus who entered our world and became like us.

Our presence should be a blessing to our city. We are to seek the shalom—the holistic peace and flourishing—of our communities. This involves sharing the good news of Jesus, advocating for justice, caring for the vulnerable, and working for the common good. In doing so, we become ambassadors of God’s coming kingdom, giving the world a foretaste of the restoration that Jesus will bring when He returns.

Ultimately, our hope is not in immediate results or personal comfort, but in God’s promise to make all things new. Even if we do not see the fulfillment of all our hopes in this life, we trust that God’s plans are good, and that He will restore and renew all things in His time. Our faithfulness in exile points others to the hope of Christ and the day when every tear will be wiped away.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Sovereignty in Exile Even when life feels disorienting or painful, God is sovereign and purposeful in placing us where we are. Our circumstances, even those that seem like setbacks or suffering, are not outside of His control. Like the Israelites in Babylon and Jesus on the cross, we can trust that God is working through our exile for a greater good, even when we cannot see it. [16:06]
• 2. Integration, Not Isolation We are called to engage with the world around us, not retreat from it. Building relationships, investing in our communities, and seeking the well-being of our neighbors is a reflection of God’s heart. True faith does not hide from a broken world but enters into it, just as Jesus did, bringing light and hope to dark places. [22:20]
• 3. Seeking the Shalom of the City Our mission is to pursue the holistic peace and flourishing—shalom—of our communities. This means advocating for justice, caring for the marginalized, and working for the common good, not just for ourselves but for everyone. In doing so, we embody the values of God’s kingdom and point others to the restoration that is coming. [29:46]
• 4. Faithfulness in the Face of Unfulfilled Promises Sometimes, God’s plans for us involve long seasons of waiting or even pain, and we may not see the fulfillment of His promises in our lifetime. Our faithfulness is not wasted; it is an investment in the future and a testimony to our hope in God’s ultimate restoration. Jeremiah 29:11 is not a promise of immediate comfort, but an anchor for those enduring hardship, reminding us that God will make all things right in the end. [36:34]
• 5. Living as Ambassadors of the Coming Kingdom Our lives in exile are meant to be a signpost pointing to the day when Jesus will return and make all things new. Every act of love, justice, and faithfulness is a foretaste of the restoration to come. We are not responsible for fixing everything, but we are called to be pictures of Jesus, seeking the shalom of our communities and holding fast to the hope of God’s final renewal. [39:05]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:39] - Introduction and Personal Story
• [01:50] - Feeling Out of Place: The Exile Experience
• [04:52] - Reading Jeremiah 29:4-14
• [07:20] - Israel’s Exile and Historical Context
• [09:53] - What It Means to Be Exiles Today
• [12:19] - God’s Sovereignty in Our Exile
• [18:03] - The Church’s Role in Suffering
• [21:06] - Integrating into Society
• [24:12] - Avoiding Christian Isolation
• [27:15] - Seeking the Shalom of the City
• [31:04] - Living as Ambassadors of God’s Kingdom
• [35:23] - God’s Promise of Restoration
• [36:34] - Understanding Jeremiah 29:11 in Context
• [39:05] - Our Hope in God’s Ultimate Renewal
• [40:10] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 29:4-14 (ESV) —
> 4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord.
>
> 10 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jeremiah 29:4-7, what specific instructions does God give to the exiles living in Babylon?
2. In the sermon, what does the word “shalom” mean, and how is it different from just “peace” as the absence of conflict? [28:32]
3. What does God say about the reason the Israelites are in exile? Who put them there, and why is that important? [14:10]
4. How long does God say the exile will last, and what does He promise at the end of that time? [35:23]

Interpretation Questions

1. The Israelites were told to build homes, plant gardens, and seek the welfare of Babylon. What does this reveal about God’s expectations for His people when they are in a place that isn’t their true home? [21:06]
2. The sermon says that God’s sovereignty means even painful or chaotic times are not outside His plan. How might this change the way someone views their own struggles or “exile” moments? [16:06]
3. The call to seek the shalom of the city includes caring for justice and the vulnerable. Why do you think God wants His people to bless even those who don’t share their faith or values? [29:46]
4. Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted as a promise of personal blessing. According to the sermon, what is the real context and meaning of this verse for people who are suffering or waiting? [36:34]

Application Questions

1. The sermon described how Christians sometimes isolate themselves from the world or only spend time with other believers. In what ways have you seen this in your own life or church? What would it look like for you to “integrate” more into your community? [22:20]
2. God told the exiles to “seek the shalom” of their city. What is one practical way you could work for the peace and flourishing of your neighborhood, workplace, or school this month? [29:46]
3. The pastor shared that sometimes God’s plans involve pain or waiting, and we may not see the results in our lifetime. Is there an area in your life where you are waiting for God to act? How can you remain faithful and hopeful in the waiting? [36:34]
4. The sermon challenged us to be “ambassadors” of God’s coming kingdom. What is one way you can reflect Jesus to people who don’t share your beliefs or values this week? [39:05]
5. When life feels out of control or you feel “out of place,” how can you remind yourself that God is still sovereign and working for your good? Is there a specific verse, prayer, or practice that helps you? [16:06]
6. The pastor mentioned that sharing the good news of Jesus doesn’t have to be complicated. Who is one person you could share your story or faith with in a natural way this week? [33:28]
7. Sometimes we want to see immediate results from our faithfulness, but God’s timeline is different. How can you encourage yourself or others to keep investing in your community or relationships, even if you don’t see quick changes? [35:23]