Looking Up from the Bottom
Some people have to hit the bottom before they look up to God. King Manasseh was one of those people.(II Chronicles 33:12,13) Fortunately, God is always ready to hear and to deliver those who call out to Him from the bottom of life. I hope all of us know this truth about our gracious, loving God.
Manasseh was the most evil king of Judah. He angered the Lord so much that God allowed the Babylonians to conquer Jerusalem and take many of the people into exile. They took Manasseh to Babylon, too. They used hooks, sometimes in the nose, but more likely large hooks in the buttocks, to lead him away. How humiliating! It took all of that to bring Manasseh to humble himself before God and to cry out to Him. Then, look what God did. He heard him and took him back to Jerusalem. The result was that Manasseh truly came to know that the Lord was the Only True God. I would say the affliction was worth it.
If you have not come to trust the Lord yet, what is it going to take? Will you have to hit the bottom? If you do, God will be there to hear your humble cry. However, that is not necessary. Just turn to Him today, and save yourself that anguish of soul.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 36 and Ezra 1-2.
Manasseh was the most evil king of Judah. He angered the Lord so much that God allowed the Babylonians to conquer Jerusalem and take many of the people into exile. They took Manasseh to Babylon, too. They used hooks, sometimes in the nose, but more likely large hooks in the buttocks, to lead him away. How humiliating! It took all of that to bring Manasseh to humble himself before God and to cry out to Him. Then, look what God did. He heard him and took him back to Jerusalem. The result was that Manasseh truly came to know that the Lord was the Only True God. I would say the affliction was worth it.
If you have not come to trust the Lord yet, what is it going to take? Will you have to hit the bottom? If you do, God will be there to hear your humble cry. However, that is not necessary. Just turn to Him today, and save yourself that anguish of soul.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 36 and Ezra 1-2.