A Picture of God’s Grace
Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the pagan nations whom the Lord had destroyed when the Israelites entered the land. . . . So the Lord sent the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and cried out humbly to the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request for help. 2 Chronicles 33:9-13
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Manasseh not only practiced evil himself; he led the whole nation of Judah and the people of Jerusalem to do even more evil than the pagan nations had thought of. He practiced witchcraft and sorcery, burned his own sons at a pagan altar, and to top it all off, defiled the temple of God by placing an idol of the sex goddess Asherah there. That was the last straw for God. After giving numerous warnings, the Lord caused Manasseh to be captured by the Assyrians and led away to Babylon like an animal. Now if anyone didn’t deserve God’s help, it was Manasseh. But in his captivity he cried out to God in humility and repentance, and the Lord not only listened but let Manasseh go back to Jerusalem and restored his kingdom. Manasseh forever after knew that the Lord alone is God.
For any of us who may have fallen away from God, either in open rebellion or in taking subtle steps off his path, this passage is a picture of God’s loving grace and desire to forgive and restore. He wants us to humble ourselves before him, and he will heal and redeem our lives.
Prayers:
LORD, how amazing your grace, forgiveness, and restoration are! I praise you for your mercy and loving-kindness offered so freely to me. I want to follow you, but when I stray from your paths, help me to humbly cry out to you as Manasseh did, and let me know the joy of your forgiveness and healing.
Quotes:
THE MOST MARVELOUS INGREDIENT IN THE FORGIVENESS OF GOD IS THAT HE ALSO FORGETS, THE ONE THING A HUMAN BEING CAN NEVER DO.
Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: 2 Chronicles 32:1–33:13; Romans 15:23–16:9; Psalm 25:16-22 and Proverbs 20:16-18.
