7th August 2026

Feeling Exiled

"You will seek Me and find Me,

when you search for Me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:13

Today's Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29:10–14.

God used the Assyrians and Babylonians to discipline His people for their unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 1:15-16). Israel was completely destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 BC, but God would not allow the Babylonians to destroy Israel completely (5:18-19). Though the Hebrews would be in Babylon for seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11), God promised He would “watch over them for their good, and . . . bring them back to this land” (24:6).

People often quote this passage but sometimes overlook its particular historical context. Here, because of their sins, God’s people had been exiled from the promised land. God wanted them to obey and trust Him, believing that He would bring them back from the place to which He had banished them (v 14).

Whether we are living in times of bounty or feeling exiled and alone today, we can trust God’s promises that we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart (v 13). Whatever our circumstances, we will indeed be found by Him.

Prayer: Merciful God, please reveal Yourself to all those who are suffering because of war. Bring peace and hope, and an end to the atrocities. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.