Jeremiah sent a letter to the folks in Babylon,
Long had they been stuck in darkness, waiting for to greet the dawn.
They had suffered much in exile, toiling hard in angst and fear.
Young and old were forced to labor, kept in place by sword and spear.
Though they wanted news of freedom, he told them to hunker down.
“Build your houses, plant your gardens, raise your children in this town.”
Jeremiah told the people, “make the best of your home here.
Seek the welfare of the city; through your lives, God’s truth endear.”
Sometimes, Lord, we find ourselves in places we don’t want to be -
Places full of pain and anguish, places craving jubilee.
May we in the times of exile serve our God courageously,
In the moments of our trials, may we love all faithfully.
