“Seek the welfare of the city” (Jer 29:1-13)
A. Here we are:
- In KYU: part of the Act, we are KYU just as we are the Church. We are part of her history – the history of the three institutions, and part of her present, and part of her future. We are part of her glories and part of her glooms
- In Uganda (and the global village): numerous districts, good climate, source of the Nile, hosting spectacular equinoxes
- Today: in the times of the University, alShabaab, women Bishops, women Presidents;
- Faculty of Education: Parenting Challenges (lesbianism, drugs)
- The influence of the few
B. Prophecy, Power and Pride:
- Prophecy (speaking out the Word of God in the moment) has two sides to it: the Word itself and the art of delivering it (with pictures, figures, illustrations, language and some sort of psychosis).
- It is an honourable thing to be called a prophet or it was in Jeremiah’s time; and some sought after the title even by seeking cheap popularity through prophesying with good art yet the message was their own making.
- The false prophets were many, even Ezekiel talks about them (13:2). The named ones include: Hananiah son of Azzur (Jer 28:2-3, 10-14)
- Their message sounded good to the hearers and even seemed logical – but it was not from the Lord. They are sternly warned, and Jeremiah takes on the hard task of saying bitter truths in a lengthy letter to a disoriented people in exile.
It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. (Eccl 7:5)
C. The Lord remains faithful to those who seek him even when a calamity sweeps over a whole nation including those who are upright. The Lord will work out a way by which the upright will find welfare in the storm or captivity.
A little endurance will prove that the end is not just being plucked out of the ‘captivity’ but while still there, welfare can be found!
From Joseph to Daniel and Mordecai the same testimony rings. “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” (v.7).
D. In and around Kyambogo, every believer must dedicate time to think and pray about the issues of the land and the city in which we find ourselves in this season. We are faced with conflicts:
- Inter personal – rivalry
- Academic staff Vs Mgt
- East Vs West
- Catholics Vs Protestants
- Westerners Vs Others
- Payings students Vs non-paying
- Financial conflicts – preferential honoring of requisitions
- Appointments and promotions
- NRM Vs FDC and others
Remember, we are part of KYU
- In KYU: part of the Act, we are KYU just as we are the Church. We are part of her history – the history of the three institutions, and part of her present, and part of her future. We are part of her glories and part of her glooms
In the University, this semester demands prayers for peace and tranquility; the instabilities faced by this community must end and peace must prevail – both in this campus and in our homes and families.
More so, we must rise against the idolatry and witchcraft in the land; as many people come from various backgrounds and bring worship and belief systems that may be contaminated with evil, believers are called upon to arise and seek the spiritual welfare of the land – in watching and praying and calling upon the Lord Almighty to build His throne here.
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him in truth, and the good plan he has for us includes for us to be salt and light to this world while we are here today.
Joseph – vision, imagination and service with integrity
Mordecai – aptitude intelligence for the city’s welfare
Daniel – deliberate worship and prayer even in a foreign land – Intercessors for KYU.
Luke 11:9-10
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.