Good Morning “Brokenhearted.” Today we are in 2 Chronicles 33.
Judah was thriving under Hezekiah. The people were applying the teaching they were receiving and Judah was blessed.
Along comes Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son. As he takes over the family business (Kinging the kingdom), surely he will follow in his fathers footsteps. Surely Hezekiah’s example sticks. Surely Manny sees the value in doing things Gods way. Surely he understands you CANNOT lead and live contrary to Gods commands and get away with it… not long term anyway.
Nope. He doesn’t. In fact he undoes it all. If you’re like me, your heart breaks again, as you read about Manasseh and the way in which he desecrates the temple, temple worship, and turns to worship pagan gods. Why would he? What is the allure? He’s lived under the blessing of The One True God, under his father’s leadership. Hasn’t God shown him what is Good? Why turn away?
This question ought to dog our steps as we look in the mirror each day. Surely we will remain TOTALLY devoted to The Lord. Surely we understand that the world’s evil offerings are empty. Surely we have seen the Goodness of God demonstrated in the blessings He’s poured out on us… surely, we have no reason to look elsewhere.
Yet, we do…
Does it break our hearts to think about?
Fortunately for us, we serve a God full of mercy and grace when we are broken and repentant. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:18 (Check out all of Psalm 34).
Astonishingly, while in his captivity, Manasseh repented, God forgave him, and brought him back to Jerusalem. Manasseh’s story reminds us once again, God is faithful… even when we are not. His grace and forgiveness abound. It seems so much easier to never stray in the first place.
Love you all! Dig in!
Judah was thriving under Hezekiah. The people were applying the teaching they were receiving and Judah was blessed.
Along comes Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son. As he takes over the family business (Kinging the kingdom), surely he will follow in his fathers footsteps. Surely Hezekiah’s example sticks. Surely Manny sees the value in doing things Gods way. Surely he understands you CANNOT lead and live contrary to Gods commands and get away with it… not long term anyway.
Nope. He doesn’t. In fact he undoes it all. If you’re like me, your heart breaks again, as you read about Manasseh and the way in which he desecrates the temple, temple worship, and turns to worship pagan gods. Why would he? What is the allure? He’s lived under the blessing of The One True God, under his father’s leadership. Hasn’t God shown him what is Good? Why turn away?
This question ought to dog our steps as we look in the mirror each day. Surely we will remain TOTALLY devoted to The Lord. Surely we understand that the world’s evil offerings are empty. Surely we have seen the Goodness of God demonstrated in the blessings He’s poured out on us… surely, we have no reason to look elsewhere.
Yet, we do…
Does it break our hearts to think about?
Fortunately for us, we serve a God full of mercy and grace when we are broken and repentant. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:18 (Check out all of Psalm 34).
Astonishingly, while in his captivity, Manasseh repented, God forgave him, and brought him back to Jerusalem. Manasseh’s story reminds us once again, God is faithful… even when we are not. His grace and forgiveness abound. It seems so much easier to never stray in the first place.
Love you all! Dig in!
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