Increase, Do Not Decrease

“Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jer. 29:6c-7)

When you read the whole context, you will see that the people of Israel were going through tough times. They had every reason to complain or dislike the people around them. I don’t blame them if they cried to God to ask to come out of their captivity as soon as possible. However, rather than getting them out of their captivity, the Lord told them to “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.”

This is talking about a long-term deal. The God is Israel is never threatened by any circumstances, challenges, or evil plan. He is able to turn the tide from bad to good. In fact, the Lord promised them to increase and not decrease.

If you don’t lose your flavor as salt or stop shining your light, even if the place is as bad as Babylon, you will prosper. Salt brings healing among the decaying and the rotten. It preserves, influences, and is very much needed. You don’t have to try to become ‘salt’ — you already are. Light shines the brightest in the midst of darkness. The darker the situation surrounding you, the brighter you will shine and so you are supposed to be in the midst of darkness.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11) You can claim this promise if you engage in the world around you — seek the peace of your city. Increase your contribution to society, be an asset to your community and not become a liability. Be a blessing to others by doing acts of kindness so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

How about if you begin each day by asking yourself these questions: “Do non-Christian people around me trust me enough for me to speak a word into their life?” “Why should people trust me and is what I say trustworthy?” “Have I always been antagonistic to the people around me so that I cannot relate to them?” “Am I ‘salty’ enough to bring healing and meet the needs of the people surrounding me?”