In today's passage, there were a couple of points that came to my mind.....
We begin by reading about Manasseh, who becomes king at a young age of 12. We read that he did evil in the eyes of the Lord in that he rebuilt the high places that his father demolished. He also sacrificed his children. He practiced telling the future, and witchcraft. He even sought omens and contacted the spirits.
Manasseh, at this point, is not someone that I would take the pleasure in hanging out with. The good news? The story doesn't end there. We read that this man who's heart appears to be so distant from God has a drastic change. While being at his lowest point being bound and shackled in prison and feeling distressed, he calls upon the Lord.
In 2 Chronicles 33:12, it says that Manasseh humbled himself greatly before God and prayed to Him. God heard his plea and brought Manasseh back to his kingdom.
This reminded me that know matter how far we fall from God, He is always right there for us when we call upon Him. This gives me hope for the family members and friends that I have who have yet to dedicate their lives to following Christ.
Verse 12 also reminded me that I need to humble myself greatly before God. It's not just the non-believers who need to do this, but I need to do this too. And not once in a while but every day. When I begin to think that I can accomplish things on my own that is when I need to humble myself and call upon the Lord, just like Manasseh did.
2 Kings 21:22 - He followed completely the ways of his father, worshiping the idols his father had worshiped, and bowing down to them.
This verse is speaking about Amon who is the son of Manasseh. It reminded me of how our children from a very early age would copy us as parents. We would see this when our girls would reprimand their barbies when "misbehaving", or they would say a phrase that we would normally say. We need to be on guard all the time as to how we are conducting ourselves. Our children will look up to us and whether we are doing good or evil, the chances are they will follow in our steps.
The last point I want to make is that regardless of the mothers and fathers we had as role models, we have a Heavenly Father who is perfect and blameless. That is where our eyes should be fixed.
Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He made the choice to follow God and to do what was right. His eyes were fixed on the Lord.
Where are our eyes fixed? Ourselves, or God? Are we proud because of our accomplishments, or humble because of how God has provided for us?
2 comments:
Menassah lived an interesting life, he lived a good part of his life for himself and against God, and later turned to the Lord (when he had nothing left). To bad he couldn't pass on to his son this important conversion. I hope and pray that I (we) turn to the Lord right away and not just turn to Him when we have reached the point of no other choice.
This story so gives me hope! If you were reading this story for the very first time, you would never anticipate Manasseh's repentance and God's forgiveness. It's amazing! And if this man who was so evil can be saved, it gives hope for each one of our family and friends who are unbelievers now - God can yet change them!
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