Good Luck Charms?

After I read the chapters for today I began to think about times that I have followed a superstition or had a "good luck charm" and maybe didn’t even realize it. How many of you have ever owned a rabbit’s foot keychain? I never owned one but I thought they were cool. They even came in different colors. How familiar are these words, “Wish I may, Wish I might Have the wish I wish tonight?” I can remember searching the early night sky to find the first star to appear so I could make a wish. What about finding a penny on tails? Do you pick it up or leave it? These days I pick it up and look for more. But I remember as a little girl walking by them thinking it would bring me bad luck if I picked it up. Some superstitions are just good advice to me. I mean, to walk under a ladder is just dangerous because you could knock it over. Putting shoes on the table is not smart because of all the filth on the bottom of a shoe. (Do not place shoes upon a table, for this will bring bad luck for the day, cause trouble with your mate and you might even lose your job as a result.) Now, what about sneezing? Did you know that saying “God bless you” comes from a superstition that the devil can enter your body when you sneeze so saying God bless you drives the devil away? Here are a few more to think about:

If you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake with the first puff you will get your wish.
If someone is sweeping the floor and sweeps over your feet, you'll never get married.
Evil spirits can't harm you when you stand inside a circle.
Don't step on a crack on a sidewalk or walkway. Step on a crack Break your mother's back.
If an eyelash falls out, put it on the back of the hand, make a wish and throw it over your shoulder. If it flies off the hand the wish will be granted.
Oh the number 13!
How is fear of the number thirteen demonstrated?
More than 80 percent of high-rises lack a 13th floor.
Many airports skip the 13th gate.
Airplanes have no 13th aisle.
Hospitals and hotels regularly have no room number 13.
Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue
Oh NO today’s reading ends on the 13th chapter! (Are you worried?)

I had never heard of this one; An acorn at the window will keep lightning out. This is such silliness because read this:

But God made the earth by his power;
he founded the world by his wisdom
and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar;
he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.
He sends lightning with the rain
and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Jeremiah 10:12-13

We have no control over lightning. We should not fear the number thirteen or cracks on the sidewalk (except the big ones that can trip you). Our blessings come from the Lord and when we desire his ways he is faithful. All these superstitions, to me, are like idol worship. People put faith in these silly beliefs instead of putting their faith in what is truth - God. There is nothing wrong with blowing out candles on a birthday cake as long as you thank the one who gave you the breath to do it. I like Jeremiah’s prayer at the end of chapter 10.

LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own;
it is not for them to direct their steps. Discipline me, LORD, but only in due measure— not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing.

After all the hard work Josiah did to reform the people, they went right back to their idols and wicked ways. Jeremiah was giving the people warning of the destruction coming their way. The Lord even told Jeremiah not to pray for the people because he would not listen. The Lord was angry and it was time to bring judgement. The people wanted to kill Jeremiah for prophesying their doom. The proud hearted get very angry when they are told they are wrong. This message was ruining their idol-making business. If you tell people the rabbit’s foot is not lucky then no one will buy it.

Chapter 12 makes me uncomfortable. I relate too well to Jeremiah’s complaints. Sometimes I have thoughts like “Why should I walk all the way back in the store to pay for this one little garlic bulb that I forgot to pay for when it seems like everybody else gets away with so much worse and seems to live happier lives because of it?” “Why do I have to say I am sorry for my sarcastic words when they are the one that is more wrong?” “When will I get a taste of victory?” If you will notice the theme in all those questions is the word “I.” The downfall for all man - himself/myself. Just like God told Jeremiah, I feel him telling me:

“If you have raced with men on foot
and they have worn you out,
how can you compete with horses?
If you stumble in safe country,
how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

The use of the linen belt in chapter 13 illustrated the destiny of Judah. The pride of the people made them utterly useless. I want to share the notes from my Life Application Study Bible.
“While it is good to respect our country and our church, our loyalties always carry a hidden danger - arrogance. When is pride harmful? When it causes us to
1. look down on others
2. be selfish with our resources
3. force our solutions on others’ problems
4. think God is blessing us because of our own merits
5. be content with our plans rather than seeking God’s plans.”

The scariest thing about pride is that when the pattern of living becomes so normal and satisfying that someone loses the desire to change at all and no longer fears the consequence. The consequences only cause them to fight more for their pride. It is like a blindness.

Thank you Lord for your precious Word. Thank you that it is available to us and we have the freedom to read it. Help me to understand your message and apply it to my life daily.