How to Build in Babylon

How do we build and thrive in a world that often feels hostile to our beliefs? In his devotional, Jason Dohm explores the wisdom found in Jeremiah 29, which instructs believers to build, dwell, and plant even in places where they feel out of place or captive. The passage encourages us to seek the peace of the city and pray for it, emphasizing that in its peace, we will find our own peace. This guidance highlights the dual responsibility of actively working within our immediate surroundings while also praying for broader circumstances that are beyond our control. Focusing on the family unit, Dohm draws attention to Ephesians 6:4, which directs parents to raise their children in the training and admonition of the Lord. This micro-level focus is where parents, especially fathers, can exercise significant influence, regardless of the chaotic macro-level events around them. Similarly, mothers are encouraged to embrace their role as described in Proverbs 31, which goes beyond home building to life building for everyone in the household. These spheres of influence allow families to advance God's kingdom within their homes, even when the outside world seems indifferent to spiritual matters. Psalm 127:1 (NKJV): "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."