Our family recently watched the video, “Jeremiah.” While I knew about his prophecies, I really had not studied his life or history. Since then, the Lord has been leading me to read the book of Jeremiah as a part of my daily devotions.

So I came upon this passage: “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them. Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol. They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over. Their gods are like helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field! They cannot speak, and they need to be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of such gods, for they can neither harm you nor do you any good.’” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭10:2-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This brought to my mind some funny imagery – people in a field bowing down and worshipping a scarecrow. I hope you can imagine how silly this would be. Who would do that?

But then the Lord led me to see that the idols Jeremiah described are nothing but scarecrows made to look nice. The craftsmanship is impressive – wooden sculptures rather than straw-filled burlap, beautiful precious metal instead of cast-off clothing, well-engineered foundations instead of “fasten(ed) with hammer and nail so they won’t fall over.” The trappings of luxury can convince us to actually worship the scarecrow we have made.

That is silly, Lord – I would never worship something made by man instead of worshipping the one true God. Then the Holy Spirit brought to my mind what I HAVE worshipped. My accomplishments. My business sense. My truck. Money.

Father, thank You for using the words of Jeremiah to show me my own failings. Thank You for forgiving me through Jesus Christ. Let me worship only You.