“And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”” (1 Samuel 7:3, ESV)
Two hundred and fifty years after Samuel the prophet spoke the words in the scripture above, King Manasseh ruled Judah. No doubt Manasseh knew about Samuel’s prophecies and leadership. Yet, 2 Chronicles defines Manasseh’s reign as fifty-five years long and filled with “evil in the sight of the Lord” and “abominations” (2 Chronicles 33:2). Manasseh rejected obedience to God, seeking comfort in the worship of the “foreign gods”. Other scriptures fill in the blanks on Manasseh’s leadership. Manasseh worshipped “Asheroth” and “Baal” and other foreign deities. He built altars to them at high places in Judah and Israel, even daring to put altars to these foreign gods in the Temple (2 Chronicles 33:2-5)! He killed two of his own sons, dedicating them to a foreign god. He sought fortune-tellers and soothsayers for wisdom. He did much evil.
In response to Manasseh’s evil life, the people of Israel and Judah began to practice idolatry openly. God brought swift judgment upon Manasseh and the people. 2 Chronicles 33 explains how God caused Assyrian armies to invade Israel and Jerusalem. Losing in battle with the Assyrians, Manasseh was put into chains and carted off to slavery in Babylon.
However, that is not the last we hear of Manasseh. While in captivity, Manasseh regretted his sinful behavior. He prayed to God asking for mercy and forgiveness. Manasseh’s amazing change of heart affected the Israelites deeply. They too began to change their ways. 2 Chronicles 33:13 explained how God was deeply moved by Manasseh’s change of heart. God not only blessed Manasseh but enabled him to be freed from enslavement. Thus, Manasseh was able to live out the rest of his life back in Jerusalem. In those final years, Manasseh was the picture of faith. He tore down all foreign altars, put away all idols, and lived out his old age in obedience to God…. and in peace.
The scripture for today from 1 Samuel explains why God granted forgiveness and grace to an evil person such as Manasseh. Samuel told all of Israel that “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart”, there are things you need to do. Samuel listed that the people of his day needed to “put away the foreign gods and the (idolatrous) Ashtaroth” found in the land. Then, they needed to “direct their heart to the Lord and serve him only”. If they showed this level of repentance, obedience, and faith, THEN God would bring deliverance. Manasseh followed this formula late in his life. He repented. He put away all idolatry and faithlessness. He directed his heart to the Lord and served HIM only. Thus, Manasseh was forgiven and blessed by God.
Can you imagine a man like Manasseh living today? Does it shock you that God could forgive such a man? A man who murdered his sons, dedicating the act for evil. A man who manipulated the people. A man who built shrines for other gods. A man daring to put idols in places of worship? His evil would be notorious! And yet, when Manasseh repented, God forgave him. After Manasseh tore down the idols and removed the shrines, God then brought blessing upon him. You know what this means, right? God will forgive those who return to obedience and faith, no matter what evil they have done!
There is hope for forgiveness and grace and peace from God. When sin has brought evil upon you, all you need to do is repent, make things right, and then get ready for God’s grace to flow back into your life.
God knows you will not be perfectly sinless. Only Jesus could do that. What God does want is that when you sin, you make things right in HIS eyes. You need to seek God, repent, atone for your sin, and be obedient in Christ. God’s blessings will then break forth. God’s love and grace will flow back into your life and heal the residue of past evil.
I have met many people who were not convinced that they could be forgiven. I have prayed with murderers, who regretted their evil. I have comforted those who have repented from terrible things. I have wiped the tears of women who once chose abortions but regretted it ever since. I have knelt with men who cheated on their wife but were ready to ask God for mercy. I walked to the altar with those who carried the weight of past jealousies, those who suffered nightmares from the memories of evil they had committed, and those who were tormented by guilt. All these wanted to make things right with God, to throw themselves at the feet of Jesus, and were ready to be obedient.
Even those who you might think are deeply religious all carry the weight of past sin. Every human being except Jesus, knows what it is like to regret an evil deed. You are no exception. You need repentance. You know what it is like to fail God, succumb to temptation, or return to evil. Today’s scripture gives a prescription for overcoming sin. First, you repent and ask God for forgiveness. Then, you atone for that sin by making things right. Out of obedience to God, you change your ways and eliminate the sources of your sin. Then, you remain steadfast as a believer. Along the way, God WILL forgive you. God WILL cleanse your heart and soul. God will redeem you. In Jesus Christ, you will be saved from future curses. You will find blessings from God again!
I close today’s meditation with words from the daughter of Billy Graham:
“Are you disappointed in yourself and shocked by your failure and sin? Are you convinced that while serving God passionately may be a lofty ideal, it’s just not attainable? Are you on the verge of going back to your old way of life?
God is gracious to sinners, even those of us who are repeat offenders. There have been times when I knew I deserved God’s punishment for my attitude or my actions or my words, but instead, I received His blessing.
Several years ago, I found myself wrestling with a sin that has been a source of struggle and frustration for most of my life. Faced with my repeated failure, I crawled back in humiliation to the foot of the cross, where I expected to hear God tick off, one by one, the dire consequences of my sin or, at the very least, to hear Him sternly rebuke me. Instead, God affirmed His love for me, His promise of blessing, and His call upon my life.
My heart melted! I got up off my knees, and instead of quitting, I passionately recommitted myself to Him.” (p. 52, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus, Anne Graham Lotz).
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Today, I come to You with a reverent heart, my Lord! I remember past sins. I remember when I failed to do what was right. I remember days when my anger got the best of me, when temptations lured me to perform evil, when my own pride came before my own fall. I ask again that You cleanse me from past unrighteousness. I regret my sinful actions of the past. I reject those attitudes and emotions that pushed me toward evil. I am resolved to be obedient to my Savior, Jesus Christ! I am blessed to have witnessed forgiveness and grace.
Heal me from all past sin. Create in me a clean hear, Oh God! I am committed to faithful obedience once again. If there is a sin I have buried, a sin that I have forgotten, a sin that is lost to my memory, please forgive me. When I see you face to face, I do not want that sin between us! I do not want that sin held against me.
I pray today for all those whose lives are mired in sin. I pray for those who need Your grace. There are those in our world who have a lust for sin. They are enticed to do wrong. They are deluded in their reasoning. Their souls are withering and dying. May they reach out to You today. May they set aside their pride and worldly passions and seek Your wisdom. May they shun evil in order that they may find true and lasting peace.
I thank You for sending Jesus Christ into this world. I am deeply indebted to His sacrifice for my soul. I promise to be faithful, even when sin and temptation threaten to overpower my mind. I hope I am always lucid enough to recognize when I am lost without Your help! Amen.
In response to Manasseh’s evil life, the people of Israel and Judah began to practice idolatry openly. God brought swift judgment upon Manasseh and the people. 2 Chronicles 33 explains how God caused Assyrian armies to invade Israel and Jerusalem. Losing in battle with the Assyrians, Manasseh was put into chains and carted off to slavery in Babylon.
However, that is not the last we hear of Manasseh. While in captivity, Manasseh regretted his sinful behavior. He prayed to God asking for mercy and forgiveness. Manasseh’s amazing change of heart affected the Israelites deeply. They too began to change their ways. 2 Chronicles 33:13 explained how God was deeply moved by Manasseh’s change of heart. God not only blessed Manasseh but enabled him to be freed from enslavement. Thus, Manasseh was able to live out the rest of his life back in Jerusalem. In those final years, Manasseh was the picture of faith. He tore down all foreign altars, put away all idols, and lived out his old age in obedience to God…. and in peace.
The scripture for today from 1 Samuel explains why God granted forgiveness and grace to an evil person such as Manasseh. Samuel told all of Israel that “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart”, there are things you need to do. Samuel listed that the people of his day needed to “put away the foreign gods and the (idolatrous) Ashtaroth” found in the land. Then, they needed to “direct their heart to the Lord and serve him only”. If they showed this level of repentance, obedience, and faith, THEN God would bring deliverance. Manasseh followed this formula late in his life. He repented. He put away all idolatry and faithlessness. He directed his heart to the Lord and served HIM only. Thus, Manasseh was forgiven and blessed by God.
Can you imagine a man like Manasseh living today? Does it shock you that God could forgive such a man? A man who murdered his sons, dedicating the act for evil. A man who manipulated the people. A man who built shrines for other gods. A man daring to put idols in places of worship? His evil would be notorious! And yet, when Manasseh repented, God forgave him. After Manasseh tore down the idols and removed the shrines, God then brought blessing upon him. You know what this means, right? God will forgive those who return to obedience and faith, no matter what evil they have done!
There is hope for forgiveness and grace and peace from God. When sin has brought evil upon you, all you need to do is repent, make things right, and then get ready for God’s grace to flow back into your life.
God knows you will not be perfectly sinless. Only Jesus could do that. What God does want is that when you sin, you make things right in HIS eyes. You need to seek God, repent, atone for your sin, and be obedient in Christ. God’s blessings will then break forth. God’s love and grace will flow back into your life and heal the residue of past evil.
I have met many people who were not convinced that they could be forgiven. I have prayed with murderers, who regretted their evil. I have comforted those who have repented from terrible things. I have wiped the tears of women who once chose abortions but regretted it ever since. I have knelt with men who cheated on their wife but were ready to ask God for mercy. I walked to the altar with those who carried the weight of past jealousies, those who suffered nightmares from the memories of evil they had committed, and those who were tormented by guilt. All these wanted to make things right with God, to throw themselves at the feet of Jesus, and were ready to be obedient.
Even those who you might think are deeply religious all carry the weight of past sin. Every human being except Jesus, knows what it is like to regret an evil deed. You are no exception. You need repentance. You know what it is like to fail God, succumb to temptation, or return to evil. Today’s scripture gives a prescription for overcoming sin. First, you repent and ask God for forgiveness. Then, you atone for that sin by making things right. Out of obedience to God, you change your ways and eliminate the sources of your sin. Then, you remain steadfast as a believer. Along the way, God WILL forgive you. God WILL cleanse your heart and soul. God will redeem you. In Jesus Christ, you will be saved from future curses. You will find blessings from God again!
I close today’s meditation with words from the daughter of Billy Graham:
“Are you disappointed in yourself and shocked by your failure and sin? Are you convinced that while serving God passionately may be a lofty ideal, it’s just not attainable? Are you on the verge of going back to your old way of life?
God is gracious to sinners, even those of us who are repeat offenders. There have been times when I knew I deserved God’s punishment for my attitude or my actions or my words, but instead, I received His blessing.
Several years ago, I found myself wrestling with a sin that has been a source of struggle and frustration for most of my life. Faced with my repeated failure, I crawled back in humiliation to the foot of the cross, where I expected to hear God tick off, one by one, the dire consequences of my sin or, at the very least, to hear Him sternly rebuke me. Instead, God affirmed His love for me, His promise of blessing, and His call upon my life.
My heart melted! I got up off my knees, and instead of quitting, I passionately recommitted myself to Him.” (p. 52, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus, Anne Graham Lotz).
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Today, I come to You with a reverent heart, my Lord! I remember past sins. I remember when I failed to do what was right. I remember days when my anger got the best of me, when temptations lured me to perform evil, when my own pride came before my own fall. I ask again that You cleanse me from past unrighteousness. I regret my sinful actions of the past. I reject those attitudes and emotions that pushed me toward evil. I am resolved to be obedient to my Savior, Jesus Christ! I am blessed to have witnessed forgiveness and grace.
Heal me from all past sin. Create in me a clean hear, Oh God! I am committed to faithful obedience once again. If there is a sin I have buried, a sin that I have forgotten, a sin that is lost to my memory, please forgive me. When I see you face to face, I do not want that sin between us! I do not want that sin held against me.
I pray today for all those whose lives are mired in sin. I pray for those who need Your grace. There are those in our world who have a lust for sin. They are enticed to do wrong. They are deluded in their reasoning. Their souls are withering and dying. May they reach out to You today. May they set aside their pride and worldly passions and seek Your wisdom. May they shun evil in order that they may find true and lasting peace.
I thank You for sending Jesus Christ into this world. I am deeply indebted to His sacrifice for my soul. I promise to be faithful, even when sin and temptation threaten to overpower my mind. I hope I am always lucid enough to recognize when I am lost without Your help! Amen.