There are some things in life that has worth and there are other things that have very little worth. Too often, however, we tend to focus on things that are of little worth. We tend to focus on selfish things rather than matters of eternal significance. We also tend to take life too serious sometimes and spend our energy on arguments and personal agendas that in the end are not really that important, rather than relaxing and enjoying the life God has given us.

                The house of Israel found themselves involved in practices that had absolutely no value. Instead of focusing on the One who is worthy, their focus was on man-made items and customs that proved to be worthless. In Jeremiah chapter ten, we find a comparison between that which is worthless and that which is worthy.

                Worthless Customs. The whole house of Israel engaged in worthless man-made customs. Jeremiah 10:3 says, “For the customs of the peoples are futile…”^[1] The customs referred to was the making of idols. They spent an enormous amount of time cutting down trees and carving out idols to worship. This was a complete waste of time and a futile practice. The idols had no power. They could not harm those who refused to worship them and they could not do any good for those who wasted their time on them.

                We may not spend time making idols like the people in Jeremiah’s day did, but we certainly engage in worthless customs. There are things that we spend our time and energy on that is just a waste of the time that God has given us. It may be personal pleasures that have preoccupied our lives to the point of distracting us from what matters most. This could be things such as an obsession with sports, social media, etc. It may also be subtle customs such as being a busybody in other’s business, gossip, needing to have control or power, slander, arguments over frivolous things, focusing on minor things, among others. Time is a gift from God. It is a precious commodity. Why would we waste that time on things that have no value?

                Worthless Idols. Verse 8 says, “But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.”^[2] We have many little figurines around the house that are special keepsakes or gifts that we may have some attachment to. Can you imagine lighting some candles and praying to those figurines as if they were a god? How foolish it would be! Though we may not bow down and pray to such things, there are things in our life that we may hold a little too close. There are things that may find itself in a place ahead of our relationship with the Lord. Some of the obvious idols are things like cell phones and televisions. Many are literally addicted to technology. Have you ever seen someone or perhaps caught yourself looking at your phone every time someone else looks at theirs? I have seen this happen many times. Standing in a group of people, one person takes out their phone and within seconds, everyone else does the same. Talk about an addiction! Idols have absolutely no value. They are meaningless. They are worthless.

                Worthless Shepherds. Verse 21 speaks of worthless shepherds. “For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, and have not sought the Lord; therefore, they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.”[3] The House of Israel followed leaders that led them astray. These worthless shepherds led them to worship idols rather than following the one true God. They preached false doctrines and caused the flock to be scattered. In a world of consumerism and people-pleasing, there are many preachers who fail to preach the truth. If you have a preacher that faithfully preaches the Word of God, be thankful. Such men are hard to come by. Many are led astray by preachers that pacify rather than following the Lord. We need shepherds that led us to Jesus. We need shepherds that tell what we need to hear and not just what we want to hear. We need shepherds that will preach with conviction and unashamedly proclaim the Gospel and not storytellers and appeasers. Be warned. Do not follow a worthless shepherd who does not preach the truth.

                Worthy Lord. In contrast to the things that are worthless, there is only One who is truly worthy. Verse 6 says, “Inasmuch as there is none like You, O Lord, You are great, and Your name is great in might.”^[4] How can one compare the worthless idols that have no power to the One true God who holds all power. The Lord our God alone is worthy. He is the only One worth worshipping. He is great and mighty. He is omnipotent. There is nothing that He cannot do. There is nothing in this life nor is there anything about us that is worthy of anything. Only He is worthy. Therefore, He is the only One that we should worship.

                Worthy Creator. Verse 12 says, “He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.”^[5] I enjoy being outside and enjoying God’s wonderful creation. It amazes me to think that all the beauty I see around me was spoken into existence by our creator. Can you imagine just saying a word and then it appears? God is the creator of all things and He is the sustainer of all things. He is the giver of all life. Nothing can exist apart from Him. Therefore, He alone is worthy.

                Worthy Judge. Since God is the creator of all things and Lord of all, He is therefore, rightly the worthy judge. Verse 23-24 says, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. O Lord, correct me, but with justice; Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.”^[6] As our creator and Lord, God knows everything about us. He knows our hearts. He knows that we do not naturally walk in His steps. Therefore, as the worthy judge, He corrects our erring ways. He is merciful in judgement. He is not quick to pour out His wrath. He is slow to anger. However, He is the judge. Therefore, why would I follow or worship any other? He is the One to whom I must give account, not some worthless idol.

                There is no comparison between God and the worthless things of the world. Why should I follow that which is worthless? Why should I invest any time into worthless things? I should follow only that which is worthy and that is my Lord, Creator, and Judge.

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^[1] The New King James Version (Je 10:3). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[2] The New King James Version (Je 10:8). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

[3] The New King James Version (Je 10:21). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[4] The New King James Version (Je 10:6). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[5] The New King James Version (Je 10:12). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[6] The New King James Version (Je 10:23–24). (1982). Thomas Nelson.