By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
2 Chronicles 33:10-13 "The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 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. In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. 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." - NIV
This story teaches us some lessons. King Manasseh did much evil and rebelled against God, completely obsessed with with his own ways. It took suffering to bring him to submission to God. When God calls us turn to Him in better times, we had better not harden our hearts.
We also learn that God is gracious even to most rebellious when they turn to Him wholeheartedly. He pardons the vilest offender who truly believes. However far one has fallen from the Lord, they can be restored. He is a merciful God.
Some in their hardness of heart turn to God and are restored. Others die in their rebellion and perish eternally! May our hearts be soft and tender to God’s call to Himself and to His service!
Hebrews 3:15 "As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”
Shalom children of God. Happy new year!