Wow...in the face of the evil Manasseh did in the eyes of the Lord, God exercised great mercy.
1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” 5 In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger.
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Even though the Lord spoke to him, Manasseh continued to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.
10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.
So the Lord allowed Assyria to siege the armies of Manasseh and Manesseh was take prisoner.
12 In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. 13
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.
What does it take for me to listen to the Lord? For I know that I don't listen to the Lord in many areas of my life and I sin willfully.
My Prayer: Lord, your love and mercy abounds as I am blessed by you despite my failings. Oh how great you are! Please forgive me for my worship of other idols and Gods and for my sin. I desperately seek for you to purify me of my sin and for you to transform my life and my heart. Help me love you more, seek you out, trust you more, follow you more and obey your will for my life.
