“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon. Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished” (Jer 29:4-6)


Israel was deported to an alien land and to live in an uncomfortable alien culture. Babylon was the land of their captivity. A land whose inhabitants worship idols of every kind and whose moral code and values are different from God’s chosen people. Yet God spoke clearly to them that they are to, “…increased there, and not diminished…” v 6.
Christians and the Church have been thrust into a world that is very alien and challenging because of the Covid 19 Pandemic. No longer can we live life the way we used to, worship the Lord and serve Him in ways we have enjoyed for years and, yes, together with our brothers and sisters. Its seem to be a completely different culture today. The sooner we allow this reality to sink into our consciousness the better


God have not planned for us to be defeated during this season. He is totally aware of our predicament. Just as He spoke to the people of Israel while they are in Babylon, God is speaking to us today so that we may also, “…increased there, and not diminished…” v 6.

GOD GAVE THEM FOUR KEYS TO INCREASE THERE AND NOT DIMINISH

1. Keep your heart open for God to speak to you. v 4 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive…”


God spoke to His people although He was disappointed with them. They were in captivity because of deliberate and prolonged rebellion. Your sins, missteps, mistakes, foolishness, etc may have got you to where you are today, maybe it’s the fault of others or no one’s fault (not that you know). Irrespective, God does not forsake His children. He may have to discipline us, but always, as a Father and He will guide us though the process. He does not just throw us in the prison and throw away the keys.

Make sure you read the Word and spend time alone with God. Do not forsake the “assembling of the saints” (Heb 10:25) even though it is virtual. We need to hear the personal word and also the corporate Word, to, and through the body. Do not allow the news (mostly bad) to lodge in your mind, sink into and clough up your spirit. Let the Word refresh and revive you. Psalm 119:130, “ The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple”

2. Make projections, plans and envision for the long haulWe are not to wait it out, languish in discouragement and disillusionment or just accept the realities we faced as permanent and thus give up their God prescribed way of live. We are to…..

“Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters…”

Make great plans for your personal life, family, your business and ministry. Do not be negative but take time and effort to inspire others to do the same “sons…bear sons…” God is able to give you wisdom and open doors, if you are willing to be open, teachable and bold to venture into the future beginning today in ways that you never known before. Break that spirit of lethargy, fear and discouragement in Jesus Name.

3. Be careful, filter and discern what you read and hear even from those who claim to be spiritual.
Many people say, “knowledge is power”. No, it is, “ accurate knowledge that is power”. Granted, there are many out there who are well meaning and wanting to be encouraging and helpful but there are also those who are planted by the enemy to deceive and those who just talk nonsense.

“Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the LORD” v8-9


Seek the counsel of the Word and the leaders entrusted to protect and teach you (Heb 13:7,17). The Bible warns us of spiritual predators especially during transitioning seasons like this.

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” Acts 20:28-30, “


When God allows something, He always carry it through and give us the grace to follow through the process.
v10” After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you…..”


4. Be assured that God will always bring you through to a victorious end
He saw His ultimate plans for us even before we embark on the journey through this difficult season. His promise to us is…

“I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” v11

God always love you and deal with us as His children. You may not understand why you have to go through this horrendous season. I myself definitely do not. But let us take courage and lean on His everlasting love for us. “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt…” (Jer 31:3-4)


When the time of breakthrough comes, He will move you powerfully by His Holy Spirit to call upon and seek Him for the final breakthrough. AND IT WILL COME


“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive” v12-14

At the meantime, decide to, “INCREASE THERE, DO NOT DIMINISH”