“The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 12 In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. 13 And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God 14 Afterward he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, west of the Gihon spring in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate and encircling the hill of Ophel; he also made it much higher. He stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities in Judah 15 He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the Lord, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. 16 Then he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel. 17 The people, however, continued to sacrifice at the high places, but only to the Lord their God.” 2 Chronicles 33:10-17 NKJV
Lord God,
It would be easy to leave the history of Manassa as read in 2 KIngs but it would leave us without the full picture of him and more than that a true picture of You. In 2 Chronicles we read that he was a very bad king and he continued to dismiss and ignore You. You, God allowed his enemies to humiliate him and take him away captive like a subdued oxen.
But as often happens when we are in trouble or distress we turn to You. And he turned with a humble heart. While everything was going his way he did not think of You God. Bt You responded to his prayer because You promised You would (2 Chronicles 7:14).
We need to remember that God forgives. Not just a bit, not just what we can remember – but all that has gone before. And the freedom and forgiveness we receive lie Manassa is not measured by how sinful we have been. I am so grateful that the writer of the Chronicles made note of this change of heart. Even if it was only when he was older and in great suffering and trouble. We have a God who does not leave us or cease wating to save and bless us. He does not leave us to our own devices ever.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 24th June 2026
Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve,
pays me what Christ has earned then lets me go free.
Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change,
washes away the stains that once covered me.
And all that I have I lay at the feet
of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.
Wonderful love that held in the face of death,
breathed in its final breath forgiveness for me.
Wonderful love whose power can break every chain
giving us life again setting us free.
And all that I have I lay at the feet
of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.
Lyrics: John Pantry