October 14

The End of the Rope!


But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and cried out humbly to the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request for help. … Manasseh had finally realized that the Lord alone is God!

2 Chronicles 33:12-13 (NLT)


If you’ve made big mistakes in life, if you’ve had more than your share of major screw ups, if you’ve lived in rebellion and are now suffering the consequences … Manasseh has a message for you. Few people in the history of Israel made as many bad choices, or performed as many evil deeds as this wicked king. The Bible says he was worse than the pagans God destroyed when He brought His people into the Promised Land. He was excessive in his acts of rebellion: setting up a variety of idols and then worshipping them, sacrificing his own son to one and then killing the prophets who gave him God’s warning to stop.

He did this without regret ... until the prophets’ warnings came true and the Assyrians captured him, put a hook in his nose and hauled him off.

Then he humbled himself.

Then he cried out. And the mind-boggler is this: God listened to this terrible, terrible man. And Manasseh changed—completely.

Manasseh was set free. He returned to Jerusalem and tore down the idols … then endured to become the longest reigning King in Israel's history.

Amazing.

Manasseh provides lessons for all of us. First, if we are alive and kicking, God can still use us. In fact, He wants to use us … in spite of our past. And He loves it when we approach Him humbly. Finally, there is still a lot of good we can do.

So, if you find yourself at the end of your rope … call out to God and realize, just as Manasseh did, the Lord alone is God!


Lord, thank You for truth to direct our way and for the knowledge You love, You forgive and You lead. Amen.