Then Manasseh Knew…

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Then Manasseh Knew…

Sometimes we’re so set  in our ways,  it takes a really harsh lesson  to put us back  on the right track again.     That’s the way it was  for King Manasseh  of Judah.     Manasseh’s father, King Hezekiah,  did what was right  in the eyes  of God  by tearing down all the places  of idol worship  throughout the land  and gathering all the people  to worship the LORD.     So Manasseh grew up learning  about God  and knowing the importance  his father placed  on living humbly  before the Lord.

Manasseh was only twelve years old  when he became king  of Judah.     He did so much evil  that he was noted  as being worse  than idol worshiping nations.    His evil deeds included building places  for idol worship  throughout the land,  worshiping the host of heaven,  building altars  for idols right in the Lord’s house,  making his sons pass through the fire  (that is to say, sacrificing his children),  practicing witchcraft,   divination,   sorcery,   fortune-telling,   and erecting idols  in the Lord’s house.     Everything he did was the exact opposite  of what his father,  King Hezekiah,  had done.

Through the preaching of prophets,  the Lord spoke to Manasseh  and all his people,  but no one would pay any attention.     That’s very much like  what is going on today.     Everyone was  of the opinion  they could do whatever they pleased.     Because of Manasseh’s pride and stubbornness,  the LORD took action.

God brought the king of Assyria  and all his army  against Manasseh.     Manasseh was easily defeated  and captured.     They captured Manasseh with hooks,  bound him in chains,  and hauled him off  to Babylon.     That experience was so scary  and humiliating,  that Manasseh humbled himself  before the God  of his youth  and prayed earnestly  to the LORD  to save him.

In other words,  Manasseh turned back  to the truth.     He finally humbly acknowledged  that only the LORD  was God over all.     The word of God  finally got through  to him.     As Manasseh earnestly entreated the LORD  to hear his prayer  for help — wouldn’t you know it — the LORD heard his prayer  and mercifully had him brought back  to Jerusalem again  as king.     According to 2 Chronicles 33:13,

Then Manasseh knew  that the LORD was God.

If it took all that  for Manasseh  to finally realize  that the LORD is God  and that there is no other lord or god — just what does it take  for us  to know  that the LORD  is God?

Getting rid of his pride  and stubborn rebellion,  Manasseh knew  he had to undo  all the evil he had done.     Manasseh removed all the foreign gods  throughout the country  and set up the altar  of the LORD  so that he could sacrifice peace and thank offerings  to the LORD.    More than that,  he ordered all of Judah  to serve the LORD God of Israel.

God’s grace and mercy  in answering Manasseh’s plea  certainly were not deserved.      Realizing that,  Manasseh tried to undo  all his evil,  but he wasn’t able  to get all of the people  to change their wicked ways.     That’s the way it is  with our wickedness.     When we’re scared  into facing the truth  and trying to rectify  all of our sins,  we never can completely set things  straight again.     There will be wreckage.     Nevertheless,  we do need  to try  to thank the LORD  by doing  what is right and good.

It’s an amazing and wondrous thing  to know  that God had mercy  on someone like Manasseh.     It’s also amazingly wonderful  that the Lord has mercy  on us.     Let us humbly acknowledge  the Lord’s grace  through Jesus Christ  and strive to live  to His glory  the rest of our days.     Because there was grace for Manasseh,  we can know we will receive grace  when we humble ourselves  before the LORD.

Then,  in the peace  of being in-step  with the Lord,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     My Savior,  thank You  for your faithful love  and salvation.     Thank You  for hearing  my prayers  for forgiveness  through the blood  of Christ Jesus.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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