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Today is: Saturday July 04, 2009
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From the Pastor
July 3 2009 05:19 pmIn 568 B.C., the Kingdom of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem carried Godís people away to live in exile in the city of Babylon. This all happened because God had pronounced judgment on His people for having turned from Him to worship idols instead. The people lived in exile for 70 years. Finally, in 516 B.C., the Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt and Godís people were able to enjoy His presence in their home once again.
While they were in captivity, the people mourned the loss of their home. Their words of anguish are recorded for us in Psalm 137:1-4
By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept
when we remembered Zion.
There on the poplars
we hung our harps,
For there our captors asked us for songs,
our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
they said, ěSing us one of the songs of Zion!î
How can we sing the songs of the Lord
while in a foreign land?
And so the God directs the Prophet Jeremiah to tell the exiles to pray for the city of Babylon. Even though it is their place of exile, even though it is not their true home, even though they are just temporary aliens there, God wants them to pray for Babylon. The people are called to pray for the peace and prosperity of Babylon. And as God blesses this city, so too will they be blessed.
Later on, in 410 A.D., many of Godís people were living in another city, Rome. The Goths had just sacked the city and the Pagans saw this assault as punishment for turning away from their idols, so they blamed the Christians for the situation. The Christians saw this situation as a sign of the apocalypse. In response to the anguish of Rome, Augustine offers his famous work, The City of God. In Book XIX Augustine writes:
This Fourth of July, we have the opportunity to reflect on how the Lord is calling us to live in this place. We do not yet live in our true home, the New Jerusalem of Heaven. We are just passing through this land, living as temporary aliens. However we have a responsibility while we are here. God has also called us to pray for the peace and prosperity of our city, of our land. Our earthly home faces difficult challenges such as crime, gangs, economic recession, war, homelessness, abuse, and so on. Some may think they are cursed to live here. Some may even compose laments such Psalm 137. However, God has placed us here to be a blessing to this place. God has called us here to pray for the peace and prosperity of this city; and not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of all who live here.
Your Pastor,
David
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