July 9, 2026 Devo

July 9th, 2026

Powerful Words from the Prophets
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)
“No More Stupidstitions”

Are you superstitious? Many people are. Some people believe that there are things that will cause them to have bad luck. Like breaking a mirror. Walking under a ladder. Having a black cat cross your path. Spilling the salt. When I was a kid, it was “step on a crack, and you’ll break your mother’s back.”
Then there are the things that many believe will bring them good luck. Things like finding a four-leaf clover. Carrying a rabbit’s foot (which obviously wasn’t so lucky for the rabbit!). Then there’s the lucky coin, the lucky golf ball marker, or the lucky hat. Many athletes have habits or rituals that they perform, or clothing they wear, believing that it brings them luck. One of the wildest I’ve heard of is a former baseball pitcher by the name of Turk Wendell. He had a number of rituals that he practiced at every game. He wore his lucky necklace, which was made out of the teeth and other body parts of animals he had hunted. He insisted his contracts end in the number 99. He made three crosses in the dirt on the mound before pitching. He also ate four pieces of licorice in any game he was pitching and would brush his teeth between innings. That’s one superstitious man!
God points out through Jeremiah in our passage today that superstitions and good luck charms don’t work. Idols and other “gods” we look to have no power over our lives or our future at all. But thankfully, there is a God who DOES have power and can alter and direct our future. He’s a God who loves us and wants to be intimately involved in our lives. Maybe it would be better if we let the poor rabbits keep their feet and trusted the Lord instead. He’s our Protector. He’s our Provider. And He is the one who leads, guides, and blesses. No more “stupidstitions.” Let’s trust in our Amazing God! That’s God’s Word for you today.