“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. . . . 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.” (Jeremiah 29:4–5, 7)

Seek the welfare of the place where God has sent you. Think of yourself as sent there by God. Because you are.

Pray to the Lord on behalf of your city. Ask for great and good things to happen for the city. Evidently God is not indifferent to its welfare.

This episode is from a new series of short devotional videos by Desiring God. This reading is one of 365 Solid Joys devotions written by John Piper, one for each day of the year. You can read the above devotional “Seek Your City’s Good” or today’s meditation.