Don't be afraid of other gods

Jeremiah 10:⁵Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,
and they cannot speak; they have to be carried,
for they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil,
neither is it in them to do good."

The Lord is speaking through Jeremiah to His people. He tells them that the customs of other nations is in vain. What they worship has no might, no power, and nothing to be afraid of. The people of Israel were adopting the false idols of the lands surrounding and conquering them. They started adding other gods to their list of things to be afraid of. We do this still today. As Christians we are afraid of saying that other religions and idols are false in case we might get some sort of bad luck from it. We are superstitious and forward emails that threaten to curse or promise to bless. We have good luck charms that we kiss and give all the credit and glory to when fortune comes our way. God has spoken. These things cannot do evil, nor can they do good. Only God can give and take away.

Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God;
he is the living God and the everlasting King.
At his wrath the earth quakes,
and the nations cannot endure his indignation.

Are there places in my life, are there times in my life, where I fear idols instead of God? Am I hoping to get lucky? Am I giving credit to things that are merely scarecrows in my life? I think when it comes down to it, I really haven't learned to fear God. I've never feared my own father, although I do respect him, and so I don't have that kind of fear for God yet. What am I afraid of? Well, I'm afraid of bad people. I'm afraid of the streets of China town. I'm afraid of homeless people and alcoholics and sexual predators. I'm afraid of looking like a bad person. When I do things that are short of success, I really get down on myself. If I can repent and turn from this way of thinking, I think I'll experience a whole new level of healing in my life. Jesus is willing to help me with this. There is nothing I should fear except the Lord God.

Heavenly Father, I love You and fear You. You are an awesome God. I trust in You. I know that although You are fearsome in Your wrath, that You are merciful and all loving. I want complete healing, Lord. I ask that You take away these fears I have of "bad" people and of being a "bad" person. You have made me and called me and in Your sight, I am good. I need to believe that. I repent for placing my reverence in other things. I love You. Thank You, God, for loving me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.